Pyrrole compounds as Granzyme B inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Pyrrole compounds as Granzyme B inhibitors, compositions that include the compounds, and methods for using the compounds. Method for treating cutaneous scleroderma, epidermolysis bullosa, radiation dermatitis, alopecia areata, and discoid lupus erythematosus are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/815,696, filed Jul. 31, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,458,138), whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/032,454, filedAug. 1, 2014, each application is expressly incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Granzyme B is a pro-apoptotic serine protease found in the granules ofcytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells. Granzyme B isreleased towards target cells, along with the pore-forming protein,perforin, resulting in its perforin-dependent internalization into thecytoplasm and subsequent induction of apoptosis (see, for e.g., Medemaet al., Eur. J. Immunol. 27:3492-3498, 1997). However, during aging,inflammation and chronic disease, Granzyme B can also be expressed andsecreted by other types of immune (e.g., mast cell, macrophage,neutrophil, and dendritic cells) or non-immune (keratinocyte,chondrocyte) cells and has been shown to possess extracellular matrixremodeling activity (Choy et al., Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol.24(12):2245-2250, 2004 and Buzza et al., J. Biol. Chem. 280:23549-23558,2005).

Inhibitors of Granzyme B in humans have been limited to (a) relativelyweak, nonspecific inhibitors such as isocoumarins (Odake et al., (1991),Biochemistry, 30(8), 2217-2227); (b) biological inhibitors such asserpinB9 (Sun et al., (1996), J. Biol. Chem., 271(44), 27802-27809); (c)covalently coupled inhibitors such as aldehydes (Willoughby et al.,(2002), Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 12(16), 2197), halomethyl ketones (Kamet al., (2000), Biochim. Biophy. Acta, 1477(1-2), 307-323), andphosphonates (Mahrus and Craik, (2005), Chem. & Biol., 12, 567-77 andKam et al., (2000)); and (d) tricyclic inhibitors (Willoughby et al.,(2002)).

Nonspecific inhibitors (such as isocoumarins) are not sufficientlypotent or specific to be effective treatments for Granzyme-B-relateddiseases, disorders, and conditions. Likewise, the use of biologicalinhibitors such as serpins is limited by the ability to deliver theinhibitor to the target mammal, the cost of manufacturing the biologicalagents, and other, off-target activities, such as inhibition of otherserine proteases such as human neutrophil elastase (Dahlen et al.,(1999), Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1451(2-3), 233-41), Caspase-1 (Annaud etal., (1999), Biochem. J., September 15; 342 Pt3, 655-65; Krieg et al.,(2001), Mol. Endocrinol., 15(11), 1971-82; and Young et al., (2000), J.Exp. Med., 191(9), 1535-1544); Caspase-4 and Caspase-8 (Annaud et al.,(1999)).

The tricyclic inhibitors (Willoughby et al. (2001)) also suffer fromsynthetic complexity/high manufacturing cost due to the complex core andaccompanying low water solubility.

Despite the advances in development of Granzyme B inhibitors, thereexists a need for compounds that inhibit Granzyme B with selectivity,that are relatively simple to manufacture at low cost, and that do notpresent drug delivery challenges. The present invention seeks to fulfillthis need and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides Granzyme B inhibitor compounds,compositions that include the compounds, and methods for using thecompounds.

In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides Granzyme Binhibitor compounds.

In one embodiment, the invention provides the compounds having Formula(I):

its stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, wherein:

-   -   R₁ is a heteroaryl group selected from    -   (a) 1,2,3-triazolyl, and    -   (b) 1,2,3,4-tetrazolyl;    -   n is 1 or 2;    -   R₄ is selected from    -   (i) C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,    -   (ii) C₁-C₆ heteroalkyl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl,    -   (iii) C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,    -   (iv) C₆-C₁₀ aryl,    -   (v) heterocyclyl,    -   (vi) C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl,    -   (vii) aralkyl, and    -   (viii) heteroalkylaryl;    -   R₅ is —C(═O)—R₁₀,    -   wherein R₁₀ is selected from    -   (i) C₁-C₁₂ alkyl optionally substituted with C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₁-C₁₀        heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid,    -   (ii) C₁-C₁₀ heteroalkyl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl        or carboxylic acid,    -   (iii) C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl,        optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀ aryl, optionally substituted        C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid,    -   (iv) C₆-C₁₀ aryl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl,        optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀ aryl, optionally substituted        C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid,    -   (v) heterocyclyl,    -   (vi) C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl,    -   (vii) aralkyl, and    -   (viii) heteroalkylaryl;    -   Wherein

-   -    is selected from

-   -   -    wherein        -   R₂a and R₂b are independently selected from hydrogen and            C₁-C₃ alkyl, and        -   R₂c at each occurrence is independently selected from

    -   (a) hydrogen,

    -   (b) halogen,

    -   (c) C₁-C₆ alkyl,

    -   (d) —XR₁₁, wherein X is selected from O, C(═O), S, S═O, or        S(═O)₂,

    -   (e) —C(═O)N(R₁₂)(R₁₃),

    -   (f) —N(R₁₁)(R₁₂)(R₁₃),

    -   (g) —N—C(═O)—R₁₁, and

    -   (h) —N—C(═O)O—R₁₁,

    -   wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ heteroalkyl,        C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₆-C₁₀ aryl, aralkyl, and C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl; and        -   m is 1, 2, 3, or 4;

-   -   -    wherein        -   R₂a and R₂b are independently selected from hydrogen and            C1-C6 alkyl; and        -   R₂c at each occurrence is independently selected from

    -   (a) hydrogen,

    -   (b) halogen,

    -   (c) C₁-C₆ alkyl,

    -   (d) —XR₁₁, wherein X is selected from O, C(═O), S, S═O, or        S(═O)₂,

    -   (e) —C(═O)N(R₁₂)(R₁₃),

    -   (f) —N(R₁₁)(R₁₂)(R₁₃),

    -   (g) —N—C(═O)—R₁₁, and

    -   (h) —N—C(═O)O—R₁₁,

    -   wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ heteroalkyl,        C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₆-C₁₀ aryl, aralkyl, and C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl;        -   m is 1, 2, or 3;

-   -   -    wherein R₂a and R₂b are independently selected from            hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, substituted and            unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted aralkyl,            hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkoxy, alkylthio,            arylthio, arylsulfonyl, arylsulfinyl, substituted and            unsubstituted —O(C═O)-aryl, substituted and unsubstituted            —O(C═O)-aralkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted            —O(C═O)—C1-C6 alkyl;

-   -   -    wherein R₂ is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, and            C3-C6 cycloalkyl; and

In another embodiment, the invention provides compounds having Formula(II):

its stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, wherein R₁, R₄, R₁₀, and n are as above for Formula (I).

In a further embodiment, the invention provides compounds having Formula(III):

its stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, wherein R₁, R₄, and R₁₀ are as defined above for Formula (I).

In another aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositionscomprising a Granzyme B inhibitor compound of the invention and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method for inhibiting Granzyme Bis provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering aneffective amount of a Granzyme B inhibitor compound of the invention ora pharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject in needthereof.

In a further aspect of the invention, methods for treating a disease,disorder, or condition treatable by inhibiting Granzyme B is provided.In one embodiment, the method comprises administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a Granzyme B inhibitor compound of the invention ora pharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject in needthereof. Representative routes of administration include topicaladministration, oral administration, and administration by injection.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for treating discoidlupus erythematosus (DLE) comprising administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a Granzyme B inhibitor compound of the invention ora pharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject in needthereof. In certain embodiments, the Granzyme B inhibitor compound ofthe invention or pharmaceutical composition is administered topically.

Cosmetic compositions comprising a Granzyme B inhibitor compound of theinvention and a cosmetically acceptable carrier are also provided, asare methods for using the compositions to treat, reduce, and/or inhibitthe appearance of ageing in the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a representative synthetic pathwayfor the preparation of representative compounds of the inventionP5-P4-P3-P2-P1 starting from P1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another representative syntheticpathway for the preparation of representative compounds of the inventionP5-P4-P3-P2-P1 starting from P5.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a further representative syntheticpathway for the preparation of representative compounds of the inventionP5-P4-P3-P2-P1 starting from a component other than P1 or P5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides Granzyme B inhibitor compounds,compositions that include the compounds, and methods for using thecompounds. The compounds of the invention effectively inhibit GranzymeB.

In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides Granzyme Binhibitor compounds.

In one embodiment, the invention provides the compounds having Formula(I):

its stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, wherein:

-   -   R₁ is a heteroaryl group selected from    -   (a) 1,2,3-triazolyl, and    -   (b) 1,2,3,4-tetrazolyl;    -   n is 1 or 2;    -   R₄ is selected from    -   (i) C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,    -   (ii) C₁-C₆ heteroalkyl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl,    -   (iii) C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,    -   (iv) C₆-C₁₀ aryl,    -   (v) heterocyclyl,    -   (vi) C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl,    -   (vii) aralkyl, and    -   (viii) heteroalkylaryl;    -   R₅ is —C(═O)—R₁₀,    -   wherein R₁₀ is selected from    -   (i) C₁-C₁₂ alkyl optionally substituted with C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₁-C₁₀        heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid,    -   (ii) C₁-C₁₀ heteroalkyl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl        or carboxylic acid,    -   (iii) C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl,        optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀ aryl, optionally substituted        C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid,    -   (iv) C₆-C₁₀ aryl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl,        optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀ aryl, optionally substituted        C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid,    -   (v) heterocyclyl,    -   (vi) C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl,    -   (vii) aralkyl, and    -   (viii) heteroalkylaryl;    -   wherein

-   -    is selected from

-   -   -    wherein        -   R₂a and R₂b are independently selected from hydrogen and            C1-C6 alkyl; and        -   R₂c at each occurrence is independently selected from

    -   (a) hydrogen,

    -   (b) halogen,

    -   (c) C₁-C₆ alkyl,

    -   (d) —XR₁₁, wherein X is selected from O, C(═O), S, S═O, or        S(═O)₂,

    -   (e) —C(═O)N(R₁₂)(R₁₃),

    -   (f) —N(R₁₁)(R₁₂)(R₁₃),

    -   (g) —N—C(═O)—R₁₁, and

    -   (h) —N—C(═O)O—R₁₁,

    -   wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ heteroalkyl,        C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₆-C₁₀ aryl, aralkyl, and C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl;        -   m is 1, 2, 3, or 4;

-   -   -    wherein

    -   R₂a and R₂b are independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C6        alkyl; and

    -   R₂c at each occurrence is independently selected from

    -   (a) hydrogen,

    -   (b) halogen,

    -   (c) C₁-C₆ alkyl,

    -   (d) —XR₁₁, wherein X is selected from O, C(═O), S, S═O, or        S(═O)₂,

    -   (e) —C(═O)N(R₁₂)(R₁₃),

    -   (f) —N(R₁₁)(R₁₂)(R₁₃),

    -   (g) —N—C(═O)—R₁₁, and

    -   (h) —N—C(═O)O—R₁₁,

    -   wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ heteroalkyl,        C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₆-C₁₀ aryl, aralkyl, and C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl;        -   m is 1, 2, or 3;

-   -   -    wherein R₂a and R₂b are independently selected from            hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, substituted and            unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted aralkyl,            hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkoxy, alkylthio,            arylthio, arylsulfonyl, arylsulfinyl, substituted and            unsubstituted —O(C═O)-aryl, substituted and unsubstituted            —O(C═O)-aralkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted            —O(C═O)—C1-C6 alkyl;

-   -    wherein R₂ is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, and C3-C6        cycloalkyl; and

In another embodiment, the invention provides compounds having Formula(II):

-   -   its stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable        salts thereof, wherein R₁, R₄, R₁₀, and n are as above for        Formula (I).

In a further embodiment, the invention provides compounds having Formula(III):

-   -   its stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable        salts thereof, wherein R₁, R₄, and R₁₀ are as defined above for        Formula (I).

In another embodiment, the invention provides compounds having Formulae(I), (II), or (III), wherein

-   -   R₁ is tetrazole or triazole;    -   R₄ is selected from    -   (i) C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,    -   (ii) C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,    -   (iii) C₆-C₁₀ aryl, and    -   (iv) C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl; and    -   R₅ is —C(═O)—R₁₀, wherein R₁₀ is selected from    -   (i) C₁-C₁₂ alkyl optionally substituted with C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₁-C₁₀        heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid,    -   (ii) C₁-C₁₀ heteroalkyl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl        or carboxylic acid,    -   (iii) C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl,        optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀ aryl, optionally substituted        C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid,    -   (iv) C₆-C₁₀ aryl optionally substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl,        optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀ aryl, optionally substituted        C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl, amino, or carboxylic acid, and    -   (v) C₃-C₁₀ heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, R₁₀, when defined as C₁-C₁₂ alkyl substitutedwith a carboxylic acid or carboxylate group, is:

-   -   —(CH₂)_(n)—CO₂H, where n is 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   optionally wherein one or more single methylene carbons are        substituted with a fluoro, hydroxy, amino, C₁-C₃ alkyl (e.g.,        methyl), or C₆-C₁₀ aryl group;    -   optionally wherein one or more single methylene carbons are        substituted with two fluoro (e.g., difluoro, perfluoro) or C₁-C₃        alkyl (e.g., gem-dimethyl) groups;    -   optionally wherein one or more single methylene carbons are        substituted with two alkyl groups that taken together with the        carbon to which they are attached form a 3-, 4-, 5-, or        6-membered carbocyclic ring (e.g., spiro groups such as        cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl); and    -   optionally wherein adjacent carbon atoms from an unsaturated        carbon-carbon bond (e.g., alkenyl such as —CH═CH—) or taken form        a benzene ring (e.g., 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-phenylene); or    -   wherein R₁₀, when defined as C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl substituted with a        carboxylic acid or carboxylate group, is:

-   -    wherein n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and optionally, for n=3 or 4,        wherein adjacent carbon atoms from an unsaturated carbon-carbon        bond (e.g., cyclopentenyl or cyclohexenyl).

In certain embodiments, the invention provides compounds having Formulae(I), (II), or (III), its stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof, wherein:

-   -   R₁ is tetrazole or triazole;    -   R₄ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl; and    -   R₁₀ is selected from    -   (a) C₁-C₃ alkyl substituted with C₆-C₁₀ aryl (e.g., phenyl) or        C₁-C₁₀ heteroaryl (e.g., triazolyl or tetrazolyl); and    -   (b) —(CH₂)_(n)—CO₂H, where n is 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.

For the compounds of Formulae (I), (II), or (III), representativesubstituents R₄ include the following:

For the compounds of Formulae (I), (II), or (III), representativesubstituents R₅ include the following:

Each of the inhibitor compounds of the invention contain asymmetriccarbon centers and give rise to stereoisomers (i.e., optical isomerssuch as diastereomers and enantiomers). It will be appreciated that thepresent invention includes such diastereomers as well as their racemicand resolved enantiomerically pure forms. It will also be appreciatedthat in certain configurations, the relative stereochemistry of certaingroups may be depicted as “cis” or “trans” when absolute stereochemistryis not shown.

Some of the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds,and unless specified otherwise, are meant to include both E and Zgeometric isomers.

Certain of the compounds of the invention may exist in one or moretautomeric forms (e.g., acid or basic forms depending on pHenvironment). It will be appreciated that the compounds of the inventioninclude their tautomeric forms (i.e., tautomers).

When the compounds of the present invention are basic, salts may beprepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids, includinginorganic and organic acids. Examples of such acids include acetic,benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic,fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic,lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic,pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, andp-toluenesulfonic acids.

The invention is described using the following definitions unlessotherwise indicated.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to a saturated or unsaturated,branched, straight-chain or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group derivedby the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of aparent alkane, alkene, or alkyne.

Representative alkyl groups include methyl; ethyls such as ethanyl,ethenyl, ethynyl; propyls such as propan-1-yl, propan-2-yl,cyclopropan-1-yl, prop-1-en-1-yl, prop-1-en-2-yl, prop-2-en-1-yl(allyl), cycloprop-1-en-1-yl; cycloprop-2-en-1-yl, prop-1-yn-1-yl, andprop-2-yn-1-yl; butyls such as butan-1-yl, butan-2-yl,2-methyl-propan-1-yl, 2-methyl-propan-2-yl, cyclobutan-1-yl,but-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-2-yl, 2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl, but-2-en-1-yl,but-2-en-2-yl, buta-1,3-dien-1-yl, buta-1,3-dien-2-yl,cyclobut-1-en-1-yl, cyclobut-1-en-3-yl, cyclobuta-1,3-dien-1-yl,but-1-yn-1-yl, but-1-yn-3-yl, and but-3-yn-1-yl; and the like. Where aspecific level of saturation is intended, the expressions “alkanyl,”“alkenyl,” and “alkynyl” are used. Alkyl groups include cycloalkylgroups. The term “cycloalkyl” refers to mono-, bi-, and tricyclic alkylgroups having the indicated number of carbon atoms. Representativecycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cycloheptyl,adamantyl, cyclododecylmethyl, and 2-ethyl-1-bicyclo[4.4.0]decyl groups.The alkyl group may be unsubstituted or substituted as described below.

“Alkanyl” refers to a saturated branched, straight-chain, or cyclicalkyl group. Representative alkanyl groups include methanyl; ethanyl;propanyls such as propan-1-yl, propan-2-yl(isopropyl), andcyclopropan-1-yl; butanyls such as butan-1-yl, butan-2-yl (sec-butyl),2-methyl-propan-1-yl(isobutyl), 2-methyl-propan-2-yl(t-butyl), andcyclobutan-1-yl; and the like. The alkanyl group may be substituted orunsubstituted. Representative alkanyl group substituents include

-   -   —R₁₄, —OR₁₄, —SR₁₄, —NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —X, —CX₃, —CN, —NO₂,    -   —C(═O)R₁₄, —C(═O)OR₁₄, —C(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═O)SR₁₄,    -   —C(═NR₁₄)R₁₄, —C(═NR₁₄)OR₁₄, —C(═NR₁₄)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═NR₁₄)SR₁₄,    -   —C(═S)R₁₄, —C(═S)OR₁₄, —C(═S)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═S)SR₁₄,    -   —NR₁₄C(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —NR₁₄(═NR₁₄)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —NR₁₄C(═S)NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —S(═O)₂R₁₄, —S(═O)₂OR₁₄, —S(═O)₂NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —OC(═O)R₁₄, —OC(═O)OR₁₄, —OC(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —OC(═O)SR₁₄,    -   —OS(═O)₂OR₁₄, —OS(═O)₂NR₁₄(R₁₅), and    -   —OP(═O)₂(OR₁₄),    -   wherein each X is independently a halogen; and R₁₄ and R₁₅ are        independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C14 aryl, arylalkyl,        C3-C10 heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl, as defined herein.

In certain embodiments, two hydrogen atoms on a single carbon atom canbe replaced with ═O, ═NR₁₂, or ═S.

“Alkenyl” refers to an unsaturated branched, straight-chain, cyclicalkyl group, or combinations thereof having at least one carbon-carbondouble bond derived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a singlecarbon atom of a parent alkene. The group may be in either the cis ortrans conformation about the double bond(s). Representative alkenylgroups include ethenyl; propenyls such as prop-1-en-1-yl,prop-1-en-2-yl, prop-2-en-1-yl (allyl), prop-2-en-2-yl, andcycloprop-1-en-1-yl; cycloprop-2-en-1-yl; butenyls such asbut-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-2-yl, 2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl, but-2-en-1-yl,but-2-en-1-yl, but-2-en-2-yl, buta-1,3-dien-1-yl, buta-1,3-dien-2-yl,cyclobut-1-en-1-yl, cyclobut-1-en-3-yl, and cyclobuta-1,3-dien-1-yl; andthe like. The alkenyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted.Representative alkenyl group substituents include

-   -   —R₁₄,    -   —X, —CX₃, —CN,    -   —C(═O)R₁₄, —C(═O)OR₁₄, —C(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═O)SR₁₄,    -   —C(═NR₁₄)R₁₄, —C(═NR₁₄)OR₁₄, —C(═NR₁₄)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═NR₁₄)SR₁₄,    -   —C(═S)R₁₄, —C(═S)OR₁₄, —C(═S)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═S)SR₁₄,    -   wherein each X is independently a halogen; and R₁₄ and R₁₅ are        independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C14 aryl, arylalkyl,        C3-C10 heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl, as defined herein.

“Alkynyl” refers to an unsaturated branched, straight-chain, or cyclicalkyl group having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond derived by theremoval of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parentalkyne. Representative alkynyl groups include ethynyl; propynyls such asprop-1-yn-1-yl and prop-2-yn-1-yl; butynyls such as but-1-yn-1-yl,but-1-yn-3-yl, and but-3-yn-1-yl; and the like. The alkynyl group may besubstituted or unsubstituted. Representative alkynyl group substituentsinclude those as described above for alkenyl groups.

The term “haloalkyl” refers to an alkyl group as defined above havingthe one or more hydrogen atoms replaced by a halogen atom.Representative haloalkyl groups include halomethyl groups such aschloromethyl, fluoromethyl, and trifluoromethyl groups; and haloethylgroups such as chloroethyl, fluoroethyl, and perfluoroethyl groups. Theterm “heteroalkyl” refers to an alkyl group having the indicated numberof carbon atoms and where one or more of the carbon atoms is replacedwith a heteroatom selected from O, N, or S. Where a specific level ofsaturation is intended, the expressions “heteroalkanyl,”“heteroalkenyl,” and “heteroalkynyl” are used. Representativeheteroalkyl groups include ether, amine, and thioether groups.Heteroalkyl groups include heterocyclyl groups. The term “heterocyclyl”refers to a 5- to 10-membered non-aromatic mono- or bicyclic ringcontaining 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, and N. Representativeheterocyclyl groups include pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl,tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropuranyl, and morpholinyl groups. Theheteroalkyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Representativeheteroalkyl substituents include

-   -   —R₁₄, —OR₁₄, —SR₁₄, —NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —X, —CX₃, —CN, —NO₂,    -   —C(═O)R₁₄, —C(═O)OR₁₄, —C(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═O)SR₁₄,    -   —C(═NR₁₄)R₁₄, —C(═NR₁₄)OR₁₄, —C(═NR₁₄)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═NR₁₄)SR₁₄,    -   —C(═S)R₁₄, —C(═S)OR₁₄, —C(═S)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═S)SR₁₄,    -   —NR₁₄C(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —NR₁₄(═NR₁₄)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —NR₁₄C(═S)NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —S(═O)₂R₁₄, —S(═O)₂OR₁₄, —S(═O)₂NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —OC(═O)R₁₄, —OC(═O)OR₁₄, —OC(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —OC(═O)SR₁₄,    -   —OS(═O)₂OR₁₄, —OS(═O)₂NR₁₄(R₁₅), and    -   —OP(═O)₂(OR₁₄),    -   wherein each X is independently a halogen; and R₁₄ and R₁₅ are        independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C14 aryl, arylalkyl,        C3-C10 heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl, as defined herein.

In certain embodiments, two hydrogen atoms on a single carbon atom canbe replaced with ═O, ═NR₁₂, or ═S.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group as described herein bonded toan oxygen atom. Representative C1-C3 alkoxy groups include methoxy,ethoxy, propoxy, and isopropoxy groups.

The term “alkylamino” refers an alkyl group as described herein bondedto a nitrogen atom. The term “alkylamino” includes monoalkyl- anddialkylaminos groups. Representative C1-C6 alkylamino groups includemethylamino, dimethylamino, ethylamino, methylethylamino, diethylamino,propylamino, and isopropylamino groups.

The term “alkylthio” refers an alkyl group as described herein bonded toa sulfur atom. Representative C1-C6 alkylthio groups include methylthio,propylthio, and isopropylthio groups.

The term “aryl” refers to a monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon groupderived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom ofa parent aromatic ring system. Suitable aryl groups include groupsderived from aceanthrylene, acenaphthylene, acephenanthrylene,anthracene, azulene, benzene, chrysene, coronene, fluoranthene,fluorene, hexacene, hexaphene, hexalene, as-indacene, s-indacene,indane, indene, naphthalene, octacene, octaphene, octalene, ovalene,penta-2,4-diene, pentacene, pentalene, pentaphene, perylene, phenalene,phenanthrene, picene, pleiadene, pyrene, pyranthrene, rubicene,triphenylene, trinaphthalene, and the like. In certain embodiments, thearyl group is a C5-C14 aryl group. In other embodiments, the aryl groupis a C5-C10 aryl group. The number of carbon atoms specified refers tothe number of carbon atoms in the aromatic ring system. Representativearyl groups are phenyl, naphthyl, and cyclopentadienyl. The aryl groupmay be substituted or unsubstituted. Representative aryl groupsubstituents include

-   -   —R₁₄, —OR₁₄, —SR₁₄, —NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —X, —CX₃, —CN, —NO₂,    -   —C(═O)R₁₄, —C(═O)OR₁₄, —C(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═O)SR₁₄,    -   —C(═NR₁₄)R₁₄, —C(═NR₁₄)OR₁₄, —C(═NR₁₄)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═NR₁₄)SR₁₄,    -   —C(═S)R₁₄, —C(═S)OR₁₄, —C(═S)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —C(═S)SR₁₄,    -   —NR₁₄C(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —NR₁₄(═NR₁₅)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —NR₁₄C(═S)NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —S(═O)₂R₁₄, —S(═O)₂OR₁₄, —S(═O)₂NR₁₄(R₁₅),    -   —OC(═O)R₁₄, —OC(═O)OR₁₄, —OC(═O)NR₁₄(R₁₅), —OC(═O)SR₁₄,    -   —OS(═O)₂OR₁₄, —OS(═O)₂NR₁₄(R₁₅), and    -   —OP(═O)₂(OR₁₄),    -   wherein each X is independently a halogen; and R₁₄ and R₁₅ are        independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C14 aryl, arylalkyl,        C3-C10 heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl, as defined herein.

The term “aralkyl” refers to an alkyl group as defined herein with anaryl group, optionally substituted, as defined herein substituted forone of the alkyl group hydrogen atoms. Suitable aralkyl groups includebenzyl, 2-phenylethan-1-yl, 2-phenylethen-1-yl, naphthylmethyl,2-naphthylethan-1-yl, 2-naphthylethen-1-yl, naphthobenzyl,2-naphthophenylethan-1-yl, and the like. Where specific alkyl moietiesare intended, the terms aralkanyl, aralkenyl, and aralkynyl are used. Incertain embodiments, the aralkyl group is a C6-C20 aralkyl group, (e.g.,the alkanyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl moiety of the aralkyl group is a C1-C6group and the aryl moiety is a C5-C14 group). In other embodiments, thearalkyl group is a C6-C13 aralkyl group (e.g., the alkanyl, alkenyl, oralkynyl moiety of the aralkyl group is a C1-C3 group and the aryl moietyis a C5-C10 aryl group. In certain embodiments, the aralkyl group is abenzyl group.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a monovalent heteroaromatic groupderived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single atom of aparent heteroaromatic ring system, which may be monocyclic or fused ring(i.e., rings that share an adjacent pair of atoms). A “heteroaromatic”group is a 5- to 14-membered aromatic mono- or bicyclic ring containing1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, and N. Representative 5- or6-membered aromatic monocyclic ring groups include pyridine, pyrimidine,pyridazine, furan, thiophene, thiazole, oxazole, and isooxazole.Representative 9- or 10-membered aromatic bicyclic ring groups includebenzofuran, benzothiophene, indole, pyranopyrrole, benzopyran,quionoline, benzocyclohexyl, and naphthyridine. Suitable heteroarylgroups include groups derived from acridine, arsindole, carbazole,β-carboline, chromane, chromene, cinnoline, furan, imidazole, indazole,indole, indoline, indolizine, isobenzofuran, isochromene, isoindole,isoindoline, isoquinoline, isothiazole, isoxazole, naphthyridine,oxadiazole, oxazole, perimidine, phenanthridine, phenanthroline,phenazine, phthalazine, pteridine, purine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole,pyridazine, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolizine, quinazoline,quinoline, quinolizine, quinoxaline, tetrazole, thiadiazole, thiazole,thiophene, triazole, xanthene, and the like. In certain embodiments, theheteroaryl group is a 5-14 membered heteroaryl group. In otherembodiments, the heteroaryl group is a 5-10 membered heteroaryl group.Preferred heteroaryl groups are those derived from thiophene, pyrrole,benzothiophene, benzofuran, indole, pyridine, quinoline, imidazole,oxazole, and pyrazine. The heteroaryl group may be substituted orunsubstituted. Representative heteroaryl group substituents includethose described above for aryl groups.

The term “heteroarylalkyl” refers to an alkyl group as defined hereinwith a heteroaryl group, optionally substituted, as defined hereinsubstituted for one of the alkyl group hydrogen atoms. Where specificalkyl moieties are intended, the terms heteroarylalkanyl,heteroarylalkenyl, or heteroarylalkynyl are used. In certainembodiments, the heteroarylalkyl group is a 6-20 memberedheteroarylalkyl (e.g., the alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety of theheteroarylalkyl is a C1-C6 group and the heteroaryl moiety is a5-14-membered heteroaryl group. In other embodiments, theheteroarylalkyl group is a 6-13 membered heteroarylalkyl (e.g., thealkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety is C1-C3 group and the heteroarylmoiety is a 5-10-membered heteroaryl group).

The term “acyl” group refers to the —C(═O)—R′ group, where R′ isselected from optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl,and optionally substituted heteroaryl, as defined herein.

The term “halogen” or “halo” refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodogroups.

The term “substituted” refers to a group in which one or more hydrogenatoms are each independently replaced with the same or differentsubstituent(s).

Representative compounds of the invention and related intermediates wereprepared from commercially available starting materials or startingmaterials prepared by conventional synthetic methodologies.Representative compounds of the invention were prepared according toMethods A to E as described below and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Thepreparations of certain intermediates (I-1 to I-10) useful in thepreparation of compounds of the invention are described in the SyntheticIntermediate section below.

FIGS. 1-3 present schematic illustrations of representative syntheticpathways for the preparation of representative compounds of theinvention P5-P4-P3-P2-P1. As used herein, “P5-P4-P3-P2-P1” refers tocompounds of the invention prepared from five (5) components: P1, P2,P3, P4, and P5. Protected version of the components useful in thepreparation of the compounds of the invention are designated as, forexample, “PG-P2,” “PG-P2-P1,” “PG-P3,” and “PG-P3-P2-P1,” where “PG” isrefers to a protecting group that allows for the coupling of, forexample, P1 to P2 or P3 to P1-P2, and that is ultimately removed toprovide, for example, P1-P2 or P1-P2-P3.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of another representative syntheticpathway for the preparation of representative compounds of the inventionP5-P4-P3-P2-P1 starting from P5. In this pathway, compoundP5-P4-P3-P2-P1 is prepared in a stepwise manner starting with P5 bysequential coupling steps, separated as appropriate by deprotectionsteps and other chemical modifications. As shown in FIG. 1, P5 iscoupled with PG-P4 to provide P5-P4-PG, which is then deprotected toprovide P5-P4 and ready for coupling with the next component, P3-PG. Theprocess is continued with subsequent couplings PG-P2 with P5-P4-P3 andPG-P1 with P5-P4-P3-P2 to ultimately provide P5-P4-P3-P2-P1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a representative synthetic pathwayfor the preparation of representative compounds of the inventionP5-P4-P3-P2-P1 starting from P1. In this pathway, compoundP5-P4-P3-P2-P1 is prepared in a stepwise manner starting with P1 bysequential coupling steps, separated as appropriate by deprotectionsteps and other chemical modifications. As shown in FIG. 2, P1 iscoupled with PG-P2 to provide PG-P2-P1, which is then deprotected toprovide P2-P1 and ready for coupling with the next component, PG-P3. Theprocess is continued with subsequent couplings PG-P4 with P3-P2-P1 andPG-P5 with P4-P3-P2-P1 to ultimately provide P5-P4-P3-P2-P1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a further representative syntheticpathway for the preparation of representative compounds of the inventionP5-P4-P3-P2-P1 starting from a component other than P1 or P5. In thispathway, compound P5-P4-P3-P2-P1 is prepared in a stepwise mannerstarting with P2 by sequential coupling steps, separated as appropriateby deprotection steps and other chemical modifications. As shown in FIG.3, there are multiple pathways to P5-P4-P3-P2-P1. Examples C1-C9 wereprepared by this method.

The preparation of representative compounds and their characterizationare described in Examples C1-C9. The structures of representativecompounds are set forth in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Representative Compounds. Cmpd # Structure C1-1

C1-2

C2

C3

C4

C5-1

C5-2

C6-1

C6-2

C7-1

C7-2

C8-1

C8-2

C9

A general kinetic enzyme assay useful for determining the inhibitoryactivity of the compounds of the invention is described in Examples D1and D4.

A Granzyme B enzymatic inhibition assay is described in Example D2 andExample D5. The compounds of the invention identified in Table 1exhibited Granzyme B inhibitory activity. In certain embodiments, selectcompounds exhibited IC₅₀<50,000 nM. In other embodiments, selectcompounds exhibited IC₅₀<10,000 nM. In further embodiments, selectcompounds exhibited IC₅₀<1,000 nM. In still further embodiments, selectcompounds exhibited IC₅₀<100 nM. In certain embodiments, selectcompounds exhibited IC₅₀ from 10 nM to 100 nM, preferably from 1 nM to10 nM, more preferably from 0.1 nM to 1 nM, and even more preferablyfrom 0.01 nM to 0.1 nM.

A caspase enzymatic inhibition assay is described in Example D3 andExample D6. None of the compounds of the invention tested demonstratedan ability to significantly inhibit any of the caspases evaluated at aconcentration of 50 μM. In certain embodiments, the compounds exhibitedless than 50% inhibition at 50 μM. In other embodiments, the compoundsexhibited greater than 50% inhibition at 50 μM, but less than 10%inhibition at 25 μM. The results demonstrate that select compounds ofthe invention selectively inhibit Granzyme B without significantlyinhibiting caspases.

A cell detachment assay is described in Example D7.

A fibronectin cleavage assay is described in Example D8.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include aninhibitor compound of the invention (e.g., a compound of Formulae (I),(II), or (III)) as an active ingredient or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,and optionally other therapeutic ingredients.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to salts preparedfrom pharmaceutically acceptable bases including inorganic bases andorganic bases. Representative salts derived from inorganic bases includealuminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium,magnesium, manganic, manganous, ammonium, potassium, sodium, and zincsalts. Representative salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptableorganic bases include salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines,substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines,cyclic amines, and basic ion exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine,caffeine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine,2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine,ethylenediamine, N-ethyl-morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine,glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine,methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins,procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine,tripropylamine, and trimethamine.

Compositions can include one or more carriers acceptable for the mode ofadministration of the preparation, be it by topical administration,lavage, epidermal administration, sub-epidermal administration, dermaladministration, subdermal administration, transdermal administration,subcutaneous administration, systemic administration, injection,inhalation, oral, or any other mode suitable for the selected treatment.Topical administration includes administration to external body surfaces(e.g., skin) as well as to internal body surfaces (e.g., mucus membranesfor vaginal or rectal applications by, for example, suppositories).Suitable carriers are those known in the art for use in such modes ofadministration.

Suitable compositions can be formulated by means known in the art andtheir mode of administration and dose determined by a person of skill inthe art. For parenteral administration, the compound can be dissolved insterile water or saline or a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle usedfor administration of non-water soluble compounds. For enteraladministration, the compound can be administered in a tablet, capsule,or dissolved or suspended in liquid form. The tablet or capsule can beenteric coated, or in a formulation for sustained release. Many suitableformulations are known including, polymeric or protein microparticlesencapsulating a compound to be released, ointments, pastes, gels,hydrogels, foams, creams, powders, lotions, oils, semi-solids, soaps,medicated soaps, shampoos, medicated shampoos, sprays, films, orsolutions which can be used topically or locally to administer acompound. A sustained release patch or implant may be employed toprovide release over a prolonged period of time. Many techniques knownto one of skill in the art are described in Remington: the Science &Practice of Pharmacy by Alfonso Gennaro, 20th ed., Williams & Wilkins,(2000). Formulations can contain excipients, polyalkylene glycols suchas polyethylene glycol, oils of vegetable origin, or hydrogenatednaphthalenes. Biocompatible, biodegradable lactide polymer,lactide/glycolide copolymer, or polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylenecopolymers can be used to control the release of a compound. Otherpotentially useful delivery systems for a modulatory compound includeethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer particles, osmotic pumps, implantableinfusion systems, and liposomes. Formulations can contain an excipient,for example, lactose, or may be aqueous solutions containing, forexample, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether, glycocholate, and deoxycholate,or can be an oily solution for administration in the form of drops, as agel, or for other semi-solid formulation.

Compounds or pharmaceutical compositions in accordance with thisinvention or for use in the methods disclosed herein can be administeredin combination with one or more other therapeutic agents as appropriate.Compounds or pharmaceutical compositions in accordance with thisinvention or for use in the methods disclosed herein can be administeredby means of a medical device or appliance such as an implant, graft,prosthesis, stents, and wound dressings. Also, implants can be devisedthat are intended to contain and release such compounds or compositions.An example would be an implant made of a polymeric material adapted torelease the compound over a period of time.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that suitable methods ofadministering a Granzyme B inhibitor directly to the eye are available(i.e., invasive and noninvasive methods). Although more than one routecan be used to administer the Granzyme B inhibitor, a particular routecan provide a more immediate and more effective reaction than anotherroute. The present use is not dependent on the mode of administering theagent to an animal, preferably a human, to achieve the desired effect,and the described routes of administration are exemplary. As such, anyroute of administration is appropriate so long as the agent contacts anocular cell. Thus, the Granzyme B inhibitor can be appropriatelyformulated and administered in the form of an injection, eye lotion,ointment, and implant.

The Granzyme B inhibitor can be applied, for example, systemically,topically, intracamerally, subconjunctivally, intraocularly,retrobulbarly, periocularly (e.g., subtenon delivery), subretinally, orsuprachoroidally. In certain cases, it can be appropriate to administermultiple applications and employ multiple routes to ensure sufficientexposure of ocular cells to the Granzyme B inhibitor (e.g., subretinaland intravitreous). Multiple applications of the Granzyme B inhibitorcan also be required to achieve the desired effect.

Depending on the particular case, it may be desirable to non-invasivelyadminister the Granzyme B inhibitor to a patient. For instance, ifmultiple surgeries have been performed, the patient displays lowtolerance to anesthetic, or if other ocular-related disorders exist,topical administration of the Granzyme B inhibitor may be mostappropriate. Topical formulations are well known to those of skill inthe art. Such formulations are suitable in the context of the usedescribed herein for application to the skin or to the surface of theeye. The use of patches, corneal shields (see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,152),and ophthalmic solutions (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,182) andointments is within the skill in the art.

The Granzyme B inhibitor also can be present in or on a device thatallows controlled or sustained release, such as an ocular sponge,meshwork, mechanical reservoir, or mechanical implant. Implants (seeU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,443,505, 4,853,224 and 4,997,652), devices (see U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,554,187, 4,863,457, 5,098,443 and 5,725,493), such as animplantable device (e.g., a mechanical reservoir, an intraocular deviceor an extraocular device with an intraocular conduit, or an implant or adevice comprised of a polymeric composition are particularly useful forocular administration of the expression vector). The Granzyme Binhibitor also can be administered in the form of sustained-releaseformulations (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,475) comprising, for example,gelatin, chondroitin sulfate, a polyphosphoester, such asbis-2-hydroxyethyl-terephthalate, or a polylactic-glycolic acid.

When used for treating an ocular disease the Granzyme B inhibitor isadministered via an ophthalmologic instrument for delivery to a specificregion of an eye. Use of a specialized ophthalmologic instrument ensuresprecise administration while minimizing damage to adjacent oculartissue. Delivery of the Granzyme B inhibitor to a specific region of theeye also limits exposure of unaffected cells to the Granzyme Binhibitor. A preferred ophthalmologic instrument is a combination offorceps and subretinal needle or sharp bent cannula.

Alternatively, the Granzyme B inhibitor can be administered usinginvasive procedures, such as, for instance, intravitreal injection orsubretinal injection, optionally preceded by a vitrectomy, or periocular(e.g., subtenon) delivery. The pharmaceutical composition of theinvention can be injected into different compartments of the eye (e.g.,the vitreal cavity or anterior chamber).

While intraocular injection is preferred, injectable compositions canalso be administered intramuscularly, intravenously, intraarterially,and intraperitoneally. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers forinjectable compositions are well-known to those of ordinary skill in theart (see Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, J. B. Lippincott Co.,Philadelphia, Pa., Banker and Chalmers, eds., pages 238-250 (1982), andASHP Handbook on Injectable Drugs, Toissel, 4th ed., pages 622-630(1986)).

An “effective amount” of a Granzyme B inhibitor or a pharmaceuticalcomposition of the invention as described herein includes atherapeutically effective amount or a prophylactically effective amount.A “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount effective, atdosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desiredtherapeutic result, such as reduced levels of Granzyme B activity. Atherapeutically effective amount of a compound may vary according tofactors such as the disease state, age, sex, and weight of the subject,and the ability of the compound to elicit a desired response in thesubject. Dosage regimens can be adjusted to provide the optimumtherapeutic response. A therapeutically effective amount is also one inwhich any toxic or detrimental effects of the compound are outweighed bythe therapeutically beneficial effects. A “prophylactically effectiveamount” refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods oftime necessary, to achieve the desired prophylactic result, such asGranzyme B activity. Typically, a prophylactic dose is used in subjectsprior to or at an earlier stage of disease, so that a prophylacticallyeffective amount may be less than a therapeutically effective amount.

It is to be noted that dosage values can vary with the severity of thecondition to be alleviated. For any particular subject, specific dosageregimens can be adjusted over time according to the individual need andthe professional judgment of the person administering or supervising theadministration of the compositions. Dosage ranges set forth herein areexemplary only and do not limit the dosage ranges that can be selectedby a medical practitioner. The amount of active compound(s) in thecomposition can vary according to factors such as the disease state,age, sex, and weight of the subject. Dosage regimens can be adjusted toprovide the optimum therapeutic response. For example, a single boluscan be administered, several divided doses can be administered over timeor the dose can be proportionally reduced or increased as indicated bythe exigencies of the therapeutic situation. It may be advantageous toformulate parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease ofadministration and uniformity of dosage.

In general, compounds of the invention should be used without causingsubstantial toxicity. Toxicity of the compounds of the invention can bedetermined using standard techniques, for example, by testing in cellcultures or experimental animals and determining the therapeutic index(i.e., the ratio between the LD₅₀, the dose lethal to 50% of thepopulation, and the LD₁₀₀, the dose lethal to 100% of the population).In some circumstances however, such as in severe disease conditions, itmay be necessary to administer substantial excesses of the composition.

Methods of Use

In a further aspect, the invention provides methods of using thecompounds of the invention as Granzyme B inhibitors.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for inhibitingGranzyme B in a subject. In the method, an effective amount of acompound of the invention (e.g., a compound of Formulae (I), (II), or(III)) is administered to a subject in need thereof.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for treating adisease, disorder, or condition treatable by inhibiting Granzyme B. Inthe method, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of theinvention (e.g., a compound of Formulae (I), (II), or (III)) isadministered to a subject in need thereof.

As used herein, the term “disease, disorder, or condition treatable byinhibiting Granzyme B” refers to a disease, disorder, or condition inwhich Granzyme B is involved in the pathway related to for the disease,disorder, or condition, and that inhibiting Granzyme B results in thetreatment or prevention of the disease, disorder, or condition.

Representative methods of treatment using the compounds of the inventioninclude those described for Granzyme B inhibitors in WO 2007/101354(Methods of Treating, Reducing, and Inhibiting the Appearance of Ageingin the Skin), WO 2009/043170 (Treatment of Dissection, Aneurysm, andAtherosclerosis Using Granzyme B Inhibitors), WO 2012/076985 (Granzyme BInhibitor Compositions, Methods and Uses for Promoting Wound Healing),each expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thecompounds of the invention are useful for treating, reducing, andinhibiting the appearance of aging of the skin; treating dissection,aneurysm, and atherosclerosis; and promoting wound healing.

Other disease and disorders described as treatable using the Granzyme Binhibitors are disclosed in WO 2003/065987 (Granzyme B Inhibitors),expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Disease anddisorders described as treatable by Granzyme B inhibitors in thisreference include autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases, such assystemic lupus erythematosis, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, type Idiabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, biliary cirrhosis,uveitis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis,bullous pemphigoid, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, autoimmune myositis,Wegener's granulomatosis, ichthyosis, Graves ophthalmopathy, asthma,schleroderma and Sjogren's syndrome. The Granzyme B inhibitors describedin the reference are noted as more particularly useful to treat orprevent diseases or disorders including diseases or disorders resultingfrom transplantation of organs or tissue, graft-versus-host diseasesbrought about by transplantation, autoimmune syndromes includingrheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto'sthyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, type I diabetes,uveitis, posterior uveitis, allergic encephalomyelitis,glomerulonephritis, post-infectious autoimmune diseases includingrheumatic fever and post-infectious glomerulonephritis, inflammatory andhyperproliferative skin diseases, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contactdermatitis, eczematous dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, lichenplanus, pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa, urticaria,angioedemas, vasculitis, erythema, cutaneous eosinophilia, lupuserythematosus, acne, alopecia areata, keratoconjunctivitis, vernalconjunctivitis, uveitis associated with Behcet's disease, keratitis,herpetic keratitis, conical cornea, dystrophia epithelialis corneae,corneal leukoma, ocular pemphigus, Mooren's ulcer, scleritis, Graves'opthalmopathy, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, sarcoidosis, pollenallergies, reversible obstructive airway disease, bronchial asthma,allergic asthma, intrinsic asthma, extrinsic asthma, dust asthma,chronic or inveterate asthma, late asthma and airwayhyper-responsiveness, bronchitis, gastric ulcers, vascular damage causedby ischemic diseases and thrombosis, ischemic bowel diseases,inflammatory bowel diseases, necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinallesions associated with thermal burns, coeliac diseases, proctitis,eosinophilic gastroenteritis, mastocytosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerativecolitis, migraine, rhinitis, eczema, interstitial nephritis,Goodpasture's syndrome, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy,multiple myositis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Meniere's disease,polyneuritis, multiple neuritis, mononeuritis, radiculopathy,hyperthyroidism, Basedow's disease, pure red cell aplasia, aplasticanemia, hypoplastic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura,autoimmune hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, pernicious anemia,megaloblastic anemia, anerythroplasia, osteoporosis, sarcoidosis,fibroid lung, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, dermatomyositis,leukoderma vulgaris, ichthyosis vulgaris, photoallergic sensitivity,cutaneous T cell lymphoma, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, aortitissyndrome, polyarteritis nodosa, myocardosis, scleroderma, Wegener'sgranuloma, Sjogren's syndrome, adiposis, eosinophilic fascitis, lesionsof gingiva, periodontium, alveolar bone, substantia ossea dentis,glomerulonephritis, male pattern alopecia or alopecia senilis bypreventing epilation or providing hair germination and/or promoting hairgeneration and hair growth, muscular dystrophy, pyoderma and Sezary'ssyndrome, Addison's disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury of organs whichoccurs upon preservation, transplantation or ischemic disease,endotoxin-shock, pseudomembranous colitis, colitis caused by drug orradiation, ischemic acute renal insufficiency, chronic renalinsufficiency, toxinosis caused by lung-oxygen or drugs, lung cancer,pulmonary emphysema, cataracta, siderosis, retinitis pigmentosa, senilemacular degeneration, vitreal scarring, corneal alkali burn, dermatitiserythema multiforme, linear IgA ballous dermatitis and cementdermatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, sepsis, pancreatitis, diseasescaused by environmental pollution, aging, carcinogenesis, metastasis ofcarcinoma and hypobaropathy, disease caused by histamine orleukotriene-C4 release, Behcet's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primarybiliary cirrhosis, sclerosing cholangitis, partial liver resection,acute liver necrosis, necrosis caused by toxin, viral hepatitis, shock,or anoxia, B-virus hepatitis, non-A/non-B hepatitis, cirrhosis,alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatic failure, fulminant hepatic failure,late-onset hepatic failure, “acute-on-chronic” liver failure,augmentation of chemotherapeutic effect, cytomegalovirus infection, HCMVinfection, AIDS, cancer, senile dementia, trauma, and chronic bacterialinfection. To the extent that the diseases and disorders noted in thereference are treatable by the Granzyme B inhibitors described in thereference, the Granzyme B inhibitors of the present invention are alsouseful in treating and/or ameliorating a symptom associated with thesediseases and conditions.

Elevated Granzyme B levels have been identified in cells and tissuesfrom subjects suffering from a variety of diseases and conditionsincluding Rasmussen encephalitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),chronic inflammation, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermalnecrolysis (TEN), Kawasaki disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease(CAD), transplant vascular disease (TVD), restenosis, acute respiratorydistress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive sialadentis (associatedwith sialolithiasis), vitiligo, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD),atopic dermatitis (AD), pityriasis rosea (PR), rheumatoid arthritis(RA), osteoarthritis (OA), vasculitic neuropathy, sensory perineuritis,ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury, myasthenia gravis (MG), lymphocyticgastritis, autoimmune cholangitis (AIC), nodular regenerativehyperplasia (NRH) of the liver, achalasia, esophagitis, eosinophilicfasciitis, cryptorchidism, necrotizing lymphadenitis, Duchenne musculardystrophy, facioscapulo humeral muscular dystrophy, and Higashisyndrome. Other diseases and conditions in which elevated Granzyme Blevels have been identified include those described in WO 2009/043167(Granzyme A and Granzyme B Diagnostics), expressly incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. The Granzyme B inhibitors of the inventionmay be useful for treating, alleviating or ameliorating a symptom of,diminishing the extent of, stabilizing, or ameliorating or palliatingthe diseases and conditions noted above in which elevated Granzyme Blevels have been identified. A description of intracellular versusextracellular Granzyme B in immunity and disease is provided inGranville et al., Laboratory Investigation, 2009, 1-26, expresslyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The reference providesa listing of conditions in which the pathogenic role of Granzyme B hasbeen identified.

The compounds of the invention are useful in treating cutaneousscleroderma, epidermolysis bullosa, radiation dermatitis, alopeciaareata, and discoidal lupus erythematosus.

Cutaneous Scleroderma. Scleroderma refers to a heterogeneous group ofautoimmune fibrosing disorders. Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis(CREST syndrome or LcSSc) develop sclerosis of the skin distal to theirelbows and knees and have facial involvement. Patients with diffusecutaneous systemic sclerosis (DcSSc) develop proximal, in addition todistal, skin sclerosis. Both groups of patients are also at high risk ofdeveloping internal organ involvement. Patients with LcSSc and DcSScsuffer from Raynaud's phenomenon (excessively reduced blood flow inresponse to cold or emotional stress, causing discoloration of thefingers, toes, and occasionally other areas believed to be the result ofvasospasms that decrease blood supply to the respective regions) withhigh frequencies. Management of progressive skin involvement isdependent on additional comorbidities. In patients with skin involvementonly, mycophenolate mofetil (Cellsept, immunomodulator) or methotrexate(T cell modulator) have been recommended.

Epidermolysis Bullosa. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is achronic mucocutaneous autoimmune skin blistering disease. EBA patientscan be classified into two major clinical subtypes: noninflammatory(classical or mechanobullous) and inflammatory EBA, which ischaracterized by cutaneous inflammation. In patients with inflammatoryEBA, widespread vesiculobullous eruptions are observed, typicallyinvolving the trunk, central body, extremities, and skin folds. Usuallythe patients suffer from pruritus (rashes). Autoantibodies targetingtype VII collagen (COL7) has been implicated in the pathogenesis.Therefore, EBA is a prototypical autoimmune disease with awell-characterized pathogenic relevance of autoantibody binding to thetarget antigen. EBA is a rare disease with an incidence of 0.2-0.5 newcases per million and per year. The current treatment of EBA relies ongeneral immunosuppressive therapy, which does not lead to remission inall cases.

Radiation Dermatitis. Radiation Dermatitis (acute skin reaction) rangesfrom a mild rash to severe ulceration. Approximately 85-90% of patientstreated with radiation therapy will experience a moderate-to-severe skinreaction. Acute radiation-induced skin reactions often lead to itchingand pain, delays in treatment, and diminished aesthetic appearance—andsubsequently to a decrease in quality of life. Skin reactions related toradiation therapy usually manifest within 1-4 weeks of radiation start,persist for the duration of radiation therapy, and may require 2-4 weeksto heal after completion of therapy. The severity of the skin reactionranges from mild erythema (red rash) and dry desquamation (itchy,peeling skin) to more severe moist desquamation (open wound) andulceration. Treatments that have been assessed for the management ofradiation-induced skin reactions include topical steroid creams,nonsteroidal creams, dressings, and herbal remedies. Only three trialshave showed a significant difference: one in favor of a corticosteroidcream, one favoring a nonsteroidal cream, and one for a dressing.However, all three of these trials were small and had limitations, thusthere is still an unmet medical need.

Late effects of radiation therapy, typically months to years postexposure, occur at doses greater than a single dose of 20-25 Gy orfractionated doses of 70 Gy or higher. The major underlyinghistopathological findings at the chronic stage include telangiectasia,dense dermal fibrosis (round fibrosis), sebaceous and sweat glandatrophy, loss of hair follicles, and with higher doses, increasedmelanin deposition or depigmentation and skin ulcers.

Ramipril was very effective in reducing the late effects of skin injury,whereas its mitigating effects on the acute and sub-acute injury weremodest. However, the dose required to mitigate these late effects may bepharmacologically too high to be clinically relevant. More recently, ithas been shown that significant mitigation of acute skin injury using anadeno-associated virus encoding the manganese SOD gene, when injectedsubcutaneously shortly after irradiation. However, difficulties indelivery, application and cost limit the utility of this treatmentstrategy.

Alopecia Aerata. Alopecia areata (AA) is a CD8+ T-cell dependentautoimmune disease of the hair follicle (HF) in which the collapse of HFimmune privilege (IP) plays a key role. Mast cells (MCs) are crucialimmunomodulatory cells implicated in the regulation of T cell-dependentimmunity, IP, and hair growth. Many of these infiltrating immune cellsexpress GzmB, suggesting it may be a key mediator in immunecell-mediated follicular attack. The peptide substance P was shown toincrease the CD8+ cells expressing GzmB in the intrafollicular dermis,co-relating to a regression of follicles into the catagen stage offollicle growth cessation (Siebenhaar et al., J Invest Dermatol, 2007,127: 1489-1497).

In mice fed a diet with excess vitamin A, AA was accelerated and GzmBexpressing cells were found in excess surrounding hair follicles,including in the isthmus (the region of the follicle containing stemcells) (Duncan et al., J Invest Dermatol 2013, 133: 334-343). As GzmB isexpressed in the immune cell infiltrate within and surrounding growingfollicles, it may be a key protease involved in hair loss throughautoimmunity, apoptosis and ECM degradation.

No drug is currently approved by the US FDA for the treatment ofalopecia areata. A number of treatments have been found to be effectiveusing the American College of Physician's criteria, for example, topicaland oral corticosteroids and the sensitizing agentsdiphenylcyclopropenone and dinitrochlorobenzene. However, there is nocure for alopecia areata, nor is there any universally proven therapythat induces and sustains remission.

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. Granzyme B is a serine protease found incytoplasmic granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cellsthat plays an important role in inducing apoptotic changes in targetcells during granule exocytosis-induced cytotoxicity. When Granzyme B issecreted into the cytoplasm of a target cell through the pore formed byperforin, it triggers cytotoxic-induced cell death (Shah et al., CellImmunology 2011, 269:16-21).

Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a chronic, autoimmune, multisystem diseasethat displays many diverse symptoms in which localized cutaneous LE(CLE) is on one end of the spectrum and severe systemic LE (SLE) on theother end. CLE is a disfiguring, chronic skin disease, with asignificant impact on the patients' everyday life. CLE are furtherdivided into four main subsets: Acute CLE (ACLE), subacute CLE (SCLE)and chronic CLE (CCLE), where classic discoid LE (DLE) is the mostcommon form. There is also a drug-induced form of the disease. Thedisease often has a chronic and relapsing course that can be induced oraggravated by UV light. CLE patients display well-defined skin lesions,often in sun-exposed areas. Discoid LE is the most common subtype ofCLE, 60-80% is localized above the neck and 20-40% is generalized(lesions both above and below the neck). 70-90% of the DLE patientssuffer from photosensitivity and sun exposed areas such as the scalp,ears and cheeks, which are most commonly involved areas. The lesionsstart as erythematosus maculae or papules with a scaly surface and thengrow peripherally into larger discoid plaques that heal with atrophicscar and pigmentary changes. DLE often results in scarring and alopecia.Mutilation with tissue loss can be seen when the lesions affect the earsand tip of the nose. CLE can be managed but so far, not cured. Avoidanceof trigger factors is of utmost importance, such as, cessation ofsmoking and avoidance of sun exposure. The treatment is about the samefor the different CLE subsets where first-line of treatment issun-protection and local therapy with corticosteroids or calcineurininhibitors. Antimalarial are the first choice of systemic treatment.

Strong co-expression of Granzyme B and the skin-homing molecule,cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) was found in lesional lymphocytes ofpatients with scarring localized chronic DLE and disseminated chronicDLE, which was enhanced compared with nonscarring subacute CLE andhealthy controls (Wenzel et al., British Journal of Dermatology 2005,153: 1011-1015). Wenzel et al. conclude that skin-homing cytotoxicGranzyme B-positive lymphocytes play an important role in thepathophysiology of scarring chronic DLE and that the potentiallyautoreactive cytotoxic lymphocytes targeting adnexal structures may leadto scarring lesions in chronic DLE.

Correlation between Granzyme B-positive lymphocytes and the presence ofCLE was shown by Grassi (Grassi et al., Clinical and ExperimentalDermatology 2009, 34:910-914). Granzyme B is an apoptosis immunologicalmediator that, once synthesized and free from activated cytotoxiclymphocytes, enters the target cell and starts apoptotic mechanismsinvolved at different levels in all apoptotic pathways. In CLE,apoptosis is characterized by the presence of colloid or Civatte bodies,which are evident in the epidermis and papillary dermis of CLE lesions,and since Granzyme B is mainly expressed in CLE lesions, Grassi et al.conclude that Granzyme B could play a role in the induction of apoptoticmechanisms in CLE.

The expression of Granzyme B and perforin was correlated withclinicopathological features in patients with DLE, where both Granzyme Band perforin were expressed in DLE, with absent expression in normalskin (Abdou et al., Ultrastructural Pathology 2013, Early Online 1-9).Abdou et al. concluded that cytotoxicity in dermal lymphocyticinflammation was due to expression of both Granzyme B and perforin.

Extracellular Granzymes B is also reported to play a role in DLE byGrassi et al. Further, UV light increases Granzyme B expression inkeratinocytes as well as mast cells (Hernandez-Pigeon, J. Biol. Chem.,2007, 282:8157-8164). As Granzymes B is in abundance at thedermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), where many key extracellular matrixsubstrates are present (for example, laminin, fibronectin, decorin), itfollows that Granzymes B may also be damaging the DEJ, as is observed inDLE. Given its expression in adnexal structures, Granzyme B may also becontributing to alopecia, as reduced Granzymes B is associated withreduced hair loss in a murine model of skin aging. Similarly, reducedextracellular Granzyme B activity is associated with improved collagenorganization and reduced scarring in the skin and aorta.

In view of the established connection between Granzyme B and DLE, byvirtue of their ability to inhibit Granzyme B, the compounds of theinvention are useful in methods for treating lupus erythematosus (LE)including severe systemic LE (SLE) and localized cutaneous LE (CLE)(e.g., acute CLE (ACLE), subacute CLE (SCLE), chronic CLE (CCLE) and themost common form classic discoid LE (DLE)). In one embodiment, theinvention provides a method for treating DLE comprising administering atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention to asubject suffering from DLE.

Administration. In the above methods, the administration of the GranzymeB inhibitor can be a systemic administration, a local administration(e.g., administration to the site, an inflamed microenvironment, aninflamed joint, an area of skin, a site of a myocardial infarct, an eye,a neovascularized tumor), or a topical administration to a site (e.g., asite of inflammation or a wound).

The term “subject” or “patient” is intended to include mammalianorganisms. Examples of subjects or patients include humans and non-humanmammals, e.g., nonhuman primates, dogs, cows, horses, pigs, sheep,goats, cats, mice, rabbits, rats, and transgenic non-human animals. Inspecific embodiments of the invention, the subject is a human.

The term “administering” includes any method of delivery of a Granzyme Binhibitor or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a Granzyme Binhibitor into a subject's system or to a particular region in or on asubject. In certain embodiments, a moiety is administered topically,intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intradermally,intranasally, orally, transcutaneously, intrathecal, intravitreally,intracerebral, or mucosally.

As used herein, the term “applying” refers to administration of aGranzyme B inhibitor that includes spreading, covering (at least inpart), or laying on of the inhibitor. For example, a Granzyme Binhibitor may be applied to an area of inflammation on a subject orapplied to, for example the eye or an area of inflammation by spreadingor covering the surface of the eye with an inhibitor, by injection, oralor nasal administration.

As used herein, the term “contacting” includes contacting a cell or asubject with a Granzyme B inhibitor. Contacting also includes incubatingthe Granzyme B inhibitor and the cell together in vitro (e.g., addingthe inhibitor to cells in culture) as well as administering theinhibitor to a subject such that the inhibitor and cells or tissues ofthe subject are contacted in vivo.

As used herein, the terms “treating” or “treatment” refer to abeneficial or desired result including, but not limited to, alleviationor amelioration of one or more symptoms, diminishing the extent of adisorder, stabilized (i.e., not worsening) state of a disorder,amelioration or palliation of the disorder, whether detectable orundetectable. “Treatment” can also mean prolonging survival as comparedto expected survival in the absence of treatment.

Cosmetic Compositions and Related Methods. In further aspects, theinvention provides cosmetic compositions that include one or moregranzyme B inhibitors of the invention and methods for using thecompositions to treat, reduce, and/or inhibit the appearance of ageingof the skin.

This aspect of the invention is based, in part, on the observation thatgranzyme B expression is induced in keratinocytes and immune cells, suchas mast cells in the skin during aging. When released by these cells,granzyme B cleaves extracellular matrix proteins such as decorin whichcan result in collagen disorganization. This invention is also based inpart on the observation that granzyme B cleaves decorin, in addition toother extracellular matrix proteins, in the interstitial spacesurrounding cells.

Skin is comprised of three main layers: the epidermis, the dermis andsubcutaneous layers. Each of these three layers has individualcompositions. The functions and structures of these layers are known toa person of skill in the art. The epidermis is the outermost layer ofskin and includes both living and dead cell layers. The dermis is themiddle layer of skin and is comprised of arrangements of collagenfibers, which surround many specialized cells and structures. Hairfollicles are found within the dermis, and produce the hair shaft whichgrows out through layers of the dermis and epidermis to become visibleas hair. The lowermost layer of the skin is the subcutaneous layer,often called the sub-dermis. The subcutaneous layer is comprised largelyof fat and connective tissue and houses larger blood vessels and nerves.Collagen may be found in all layers of the skin, but is most prominentlyin the dermis layer.

A youthful appearance is achieved by not having at least one of thecharacteristic signs of age. This is often achieved by being young.Nevertheless, there are circumstances in which being young does notconfer a youthful appearance as a disease or disorder or other non-timerelated event has conferred the characteristics associated with age. Ayouthful appearance is often characterized by the condition of the skinand the following skin qualities are typically associated with, but notlimited to, a youthful appearance: small pore size, healthy skin tone,radiance, clarity, tautness, firmness, plumpness, suppleness,elasticity, softness, healthy skin texture, healthy skin contours, suchas few or no wrinkles, shallow wrinkle depth, few or no fine lines,healthy skin luster and brightness, moisturized skin, healthy skinthickness and resilient skin. If a skin of a subject comprises any oneor more of these characteristics then a youthful appearance is achieved.

The appearance of ageing can occur for a variety of reasons, buttypically happens at a normal rate associated with the passage of time.A rate of appearance of ageing will be different for different subjects,depending on a variety of factors including age, gender, diet andlifestyle. An appearance of ageing is often characterized by thecondition of the skin. Characteristics associated with an appearance ofageing in the skin include, but are not limited to, skin fragility, skinatrophy, skin wrinkles, fine lines, skin discoloration, skin sagging,skin fatigue, skin stress, skin inelasticity, skin fragility, skinsoftening, skin flakiness, skin dryness, enlarged pore size, skinthinning, reduced rate of skin cell turnover, deep and deepening of skinwrinkles. The rate of appearance of ageing can be measured by measuringthe rate at which any one or more of the above characteristics appear.An appearance of ageing may be inhibited, reduced, or treated byreducing or maintaining a state of any one or more of these skincharacteristics.

In many circumstances a reduction in the appearance of ageing of skinoccurs when the rate of collagen cleavage exceeds the rate of collagenformation. In many other circumstances, a youthful appearance of skin ismaintained when the rate of collagen formation is equal to the rate ofcollagen cleavage. In many other circumstances, a reduction in a rate ofappearance of ageing of skin is achieved when the rate of decorincleavage and collagen disorganization and cleavage is slowed such thatthe rate of collagen fibrillogenesis exceeds the rate of collagencleavage and the ratio of the rate of collagen fibrillogenesis to therate of collagen cleavage is greater after application of granzyme Binhibitor compound compared to the ratio before application of thecompound. In many other circumstances, an extracellular protein, otherthan decorin, is also cleaved by granzyme B, and the beneficial effectsof inhibiting granzyme B can be enhanced beyond what is realized byinhibiting decorin cleavage alone.

In one aspect, the invention provides a cosmetic composition. Thecomposition comprises a cosmetically acceptable carrier and one or morecompounds of the invention (e.g., a compound of Formulae (I), (II), or(III), or stereoisomers, tautomers, and cosmetically acceptable saltsthereof, as described herein).

As used herein, the term “cosmetically acceptable salt” refers to a saltprepared from a cosmetically acceptable base, such as an inorganic baseand an organic base, or a salt prepared from a cosmetically acceptableacid. Representative salts derived from inorganic bases includealuminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium,magnesium, manganic, manganous, ammonium, potassium, sodium, and zincsalts. Representative salts derived from cosmetically acceptable organicbases include salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines,substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines,cyclic amines, and basic ion exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine,caffeine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine,2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine,ethylenediamine, N-ethyl-morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine,glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine,methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins,procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine,tripropylamine, and trimethamine.

The cosmetic compositions can be formulated by means known in the artand their mode of administration and the amount of granzyme B inhibitorcompound as described herein can be determined by a person of skill inthe art. Compositions for use in the methods described herein cancomprise one of more of a granzyme B inhibitor compound or acosmetically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, incombination with a cosmetically acceptable carrier.

The cosmetic compositions can include diluents, excipients, solubilizingagents, emulsifying agents, and salts known to be useful for cosmeticcompositions. Examples of suitable agents include thickeners, buffers,preservatives, surface active agents, neutral or cationic lipids, lipidcomplexes, liposomes, and penetration enhancers. In certain embodiments,the cosmetic compositions further include other cosmetic ingredientsknown in the art.

In certain embodiments, the cosmetic composition can include one or morepenetration enhancers. Numerous types of penetration enhancers areknown, such as fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, surfactantsand non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic DrugCarrier Systems 8:91-192, 1991; Muranishi, Critical Reviews inTherapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 7:1-33, 1990). Fatty acids and theirderivatives which act as penetration enhancers include, for example,cabrylic acid, oleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid,hexanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, valeric acid, stearic acid,linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid, elaidicacid, erucic acid, nervonic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, recinleate,monoolein (also known as 1-monooleoyl-rac-glycerol), dilaurin,arachidonic acid, glyceryll-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one,acylcarnitines, acylcholines, mono- and di-glycerides andphysiologically acceptable salts thereof (e.g., oleate, laurate,caprate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, linoleate) (Lee et al.,Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems page 92, 1991;Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 7:1,1990; El-Hariri et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 44:651-654, 1992).

In certain embodiments, the cosmetic composition further includes othercosmetic ingredients known in the art to be useful for cosmetic,skincare, and/or dermatological applications (e.g., anti-wrinkle activeingredients including flavone glycosides such as alpha-glycosylrutin;coenzyme Q10; vitamin E and derivatives; as well as sunblockingredients, moisturizers, and perfumes).

The cosmetic compositions of the invention can be administered for“cosmetic” or “skincare” (e.g., dermatologic) applications, either aloneor as an “additive” in combination with other suitable agents oringredients. As used herein, “cosmetic” and “skincare” applicationsincludes, for example, preventive and/or restorative applications inconnection with dermatological changes in the skin, such as, forexample, during pre-mature skin aging; dryness; roughness; formation ofdryness wrinkles; itching; reduced re-fatting (e.g., after washing);visible vascular dilations (e.g., telangiectases, cuperosis);flaccidity; formation of wrinkles and lines; local hyperpigmentation;hypopigmentation; incorrect pigmentation (e.g., age spots); increasedsusceptibility to mechanical stress (e.g., cracking); skin-sagging(e.g., lack of firmness) and the appearance of dry or rough skin surfacefeatures.

The cosmetic compositions of the invention can be formulated for topicaladministration. Such compositions can be administered topically in anyof a variety of forms. Such compositions are suitable in the context ofthe use described herein for application to the skin or to the surfaceof the eye. The use of patches, corneal shields (see, U.S. Pat. No.5,185,152), and ophthalmic solutions (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,710,182) and ointments is within the skill in the art.

Compositions for topical administration include dermal patches,ointments, lotions, serums, creams, gels, hydrogels, pastes, foams,oils, semi-solids, shampoos, soaps, drops, sprays, films, liquids, andpowders. Examples of such compositions include those in which acosmetically effective amount of a compound of the invention isencapsulated in a vehicle selected from macro-capsules, micro-capsules,nano-capsules, liposomes, chylomicrons and microsponges. Another exampleof such a composition includes absorption of a compound of the inventionon or to a material selected from powdered organic polymers, talcs,bentonites, and other mineral supports. A third example of such acomposition or formulation includes a mixture of a cosmeticallyeffective amount of a compound of the invention with other ingredientsselected from extracted lipids, vegetable extracts, liposoluble activeprinciples, hydrosoluble active principles, anhydrous gels, emulsifyingpolymers, tensioactive polymers, synthetic lipids, gelifying polymers,tissue extracts, marine extracts, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D,vitamin E, solar filter compositions, and antioxidants. Other examplesof suitable composition ingredients can be found in US2005/0249720.

In the cosmetic compositions, the compounds of the invention can beincorporated into any gelanic form, such as oil/water emulsions andwater/oil emulsions, milks, lotions, gelifying and thickeningtensioactive and emulsifying polymers, pomades, lotions, capillaries,shampoos, soaps, powders, sticks and pencils, sprays, and body oils.

Regardless of the compound or formulation described herein,application/administration to a subject as a colloidal dispersion systemcan be used as a delivery vehicle to enhance the in vivo stability ofthe compound and/or to target the granzyme B inhibitor compound to aparticular skin layer, tissue or cell type. Colloidal dispersion systemsinclude, but are not limited to, macromolecule complexes, nanocapsules,microspheres, beads and lipid-based systems including oil-in-wateremulsions, micelles, mixed micelles, liposomes and lipid:inhibitorcomplexes of uncharacterized structure. An example of a colloidaldispersion system is a plurality of liposomes. Liposomes are microscopicspheres having an aqueous core surrounded by one or more outer layersmade up of lipids arranged in a bilayer configuration (see, generally,Chonn et al., Current Op. Biotech. 6:698-708, 1995). Sustained-releasedosage forms of the compounds described herein can also be used.

The amount of the granzyme B inhibitor compound administered or appliedto a subject is not critical, except that it should be an amountsufficient to effect improvement of the condition for which thecomposition is administered/applied. Application can be dependent on anumber of factors, including severity and responsiveness of thecondition to be treated, and with the course of treatment lasting fromseveral days to several months, or until improvement of a condition iseffected or a diminution of a symptom is achieved.

A “cosmetically effective amount” of a granzyme B inhibitor compoundincludes a cosmetically effective amount or a prophylactically effectiveamount. A “cosmetically effective amount” refers to an amount effective,at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desiredcosmetic result, such as improved skin elasticity, skin durability, skinfirming, skin texture, decrease the appearance or decrease rate ofappearance of aging, and the like. A cosmetically effective amount of acompound may vary according to factors such as the skin state, age, sex,and weight of the subject, and the ability of the compound to elicit adesired response in the subject. Dosage regimens can be adjusted toprovide the optimum cosmetic response. A cosmetically effective amountis also one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of the compoundare outweighed by the cosmetically beneficial effects. A“prophylactically effective amount” refers to an amount effective, atdosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desiredprophylactic result, such as improved skin elasticity, skin durability,skin firming, skin texture, a decrease appearance or a decrease in therate of appearance of aging, and the like. Typically, a prophylacticdose is used in subjects prior to or at an earlier stage of skindeterioration, so that a prophylactically effective amount may be lessthan a cosmetically effective amount.

The amount of granzyme B inhibitor administered/applied may vary withthe severity of the appearance, or rate of appearance, of age of theskin. For any particular subject, specific dosage regimens may beadjusted over time according to the individual need and the judgment ofthe person applying or supervising the applying of the compositions.Dosage ranges set forth herein are exemplary only and do not limit thedosage ranges that may be selected. The amount of granzyme B inhibitorcompound(s) in the composition or formulation can vary according tofactors such as the skin state, age, sex, and weight of the subject.Dosage regimens can be adjusted to provide the optimum response. Forexample, a single application can be administered/applied, severaldivided doses can be administered/applied over time or the amount of thecomposition administered/applied can be proportionally reduced orincreased as indicated by the exigencies of the situation. It can beadvantageous to formulate the granzyme B inhibitor compounds in acomposition into a dosage unit form for ease of administration anduniformity of application.

By way of example, a granzyme B inhibitor compound of the cosmeticcomposition can be administered/applied to achieve from about 0.01micrograms per milliliter (μg/mL) to about 10 milligrams per milliliter,from about 0.1 μg/mL to about 500 μg/mL, from about 0.1 μg/mL to about1500 μg/mL, from about 1 μg/mL to about 2000 μg/mL, and from about 0.1μg/mL to about 5000 μg/mL, including any range within these ranges,final concentrations at a target site.

Appropriate dosage values can depend on the characteristics of the siteto which the composition is to be applied/administered and on the formof the granzyme B inhibitor compound used. Guidance as to particulardosages and methods of delivery is provided in the literature andgenerally available to practitioners in the art. Those skilled in theart will employ different formulations for different uses and thegranzyme B inhibitor compound used. Persons of ordinary skill in the artcan easily estimate repetition rates for dosing based on measuredresidence times and concentrations of the granzyme B inhibitor compoundin, for example, a bodily fluid or a tissue. Following successfultreatment, it can be desirable to have the subject undergo maintenancetherapy to prevent the recurrence of the condition, wherein a selectedcompound is administered/applied in maintenance doses applied, forexample, once or more daily, to once every few days. In certainembodiments, granzyme B inhibitor compounds are administered/applied inan amount to achieve ex vivo concentrations from about 1 micromolar toabout 10 millimolar, from about 10 micromolar to about 5000 micromolar,or from about 30 micromolar to about 3000 micromolar, and from about 25micromolar to about 3000 micromolar final concentration over a site ofinterest, and including, about 25 micromolar, or about 1600 micromolar,or about 3000 micromolar final concentration over the site, and stillmore typically between about 1 micromolar to about 1000 micromolar.

Compounds or compositions of granzyme B inhibitors can beadministered/applied by means of a device or appliance such as animplant, graft, prosthesis, garment of clothing, stent, and the like.Also, implants can be devised which are intended to contain and releasesuch compounds or compositions. An example would be an implant made of apolymeric material adapted to release the compound over a period oftime. Such implants can be placed into a garment to be worn by asubject, for example a glove, shirt, mask or hat.

The cosmetic compositions of the invention can be used to inhibit orreduce the appearance of ageing. Ageing is a natural phenomenon thatcannot be reversed per se, but the appearance of ageing, such as skindeterioration including, but not limited to, skin inelasticity, skinfragility, skin softening, skin flakiness, skin dryness, enlarged poresize, skin thinning, reduced rate of skin cell turnover, skin wrinkling,deepening of skin wrinkles, skin sagging, fine lines, and skindiscoloration may be inhibited or reduced.

The cosmetic compositions can be used to increase or decrease a rate ofincreasing or a rate of decreasing occurrences of a particular skincharacteristic. In other words, the composition, when applied to theskin or a portion of the skin of a subject delays the onset of anappearance of aging. For example, in a population of subjects where halfof the population applies a granzyme B inhibitor to their skin andanother half of the population does not apply a granzyme B inhibitor totheir skin, the half which applied a granzyme B inhibitor would notappear as aged as the half which did not apply the granzyme B inhibitorafter a period of time had elapsed. The half of the population whichapplied a granzyme B inhibitor to the skin would also have maintained ayouthful appearance.

The rate at which a particular subject experiences a change in the rateof appearance of a particular skin characteristic, i.e., an increasingor decreasing rate of the appearance of a particular skincharacteristic, will depend on a variety of factors, including, but notlimited to age, weight, sex and lifestyle of the subject. As such, ratesare not necessarily constant, but a normal rate of increase or ofdecrease of an appearance of a characteristic, defined as being the newoccurrence of a particular characteristic over a predetermined period oftime under a set of conditions that do not include the presence of agranzyme B inhibitor applied by a method or use of this invention, isincreased or decreased by applying a granzyme B inhibitor in accordancewith a method or use of this invention. Methods of measuring skincharacteristics, rates of increasing appearance of skin characteristicsand rates of decreasing appearance of skin characteristics are known toa person of skill in the art, see for example, Measuring the Skin byAgache et al., Springer (2004).

Surprisingly, granzyme B inhibitors can also be used to increase thedensity of hair follicles of a skin of a subject and may be used toreduce the occurrences of cutaneous xanthomas of a skin of a subject.Actively growing hair follicles contain melanocytes that transferpigment to matrix keratinocytes, imparting color to hair. Additionally,sebum, produced in sebaceous glands, is often secreted via hairfollicles. Increased density of hair follicles results in increasedpigment production and increased sebum secretion resulting in improvedhair appearance (e.g., hair that is less grey in color or not grey atall) as well as healthier hair and skin. Granzyme B inhibitors alsocause hair follicles to appear deeper in the skin which provide strongerhair that is less susceptible to mechanical damage. Additionally, acharacteristic sign of ageing is the reduction in hair follicle density.It is known in the art that age and follicular miniaturization are weakpredictors of total hair count (see Chapman et al., Brit. J. Dermatol.152:646-649, 2005). Consequently, the characteristic sign of ageassociated with hair follicle density is not predictive of hair density.

The cosmetic composition may be applied to a portion of the skin of asubject or to the whole of the skin of the subject. For example, thecomposition may be applied to the skin, only on the face, only on thescalp, on the whole head or to each part of the body.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Each reference cited is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Abbreviations

As used herein, the following abbreviations have the indicated meanings.

¹H NMR: proton nuclear magnetic resonance

¹⁹F NMR: fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance

% Inh: Percent inhibition

Ac-IEPD-AMC:acetyl-isoleucyl-glutamyl-prolyl-aspartyl-(7-amino-4-methylcoumarin)substrate

ACN: acetonitrile

BHET: bis-2-hydroxyethyl-terephthalate

Boc: tert-butoxycarbonyl

BSA: Bovine serum albumin

CHAPS: 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate

DAPI: 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole

DCM: dichloromethane

DIPEA: diisopropylethylamine

DMAP: 4-dimethylaminopyridine

DMF: dimethylformamide

DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide

DMSO-d6: dimethylsulfoxide-d6

DTT: dithiothreitol

EDC: 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride

EDTA: 2-({2-[Bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl}(carboxymethyl)amino)aceticacid

ESI: Electrospray ionization

EtOAc: ethyl acetate

eq.: equivalent(s)

GzmB: Granzyme B

HATU: 2-(7-aza-1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,1,1-tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosphate

HCl: hydrochloric acid

HEPES: 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid

hGzmB: human Granzyme B

HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography

HOBt: 1-hydroxy-benzotriazol

IC₅₀: inhibitory concentration that provides 50% inhibition

LC/MS: liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

MeOH: methanol

mGzmB: murine Granzyme B

MS: mass spectrometry

m/z: mass to charge ratio.

Oxyma: ethyl 2-cyano-2-(hydroxyimino)acetate

PBS: phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4)

RPM: revolution per minute

RT: room temperature

tert-BuOH: tert-butyl alcohol

THF: tetrahydrofuran

TFA: trifluoroacetic acid

wt %: weight percent

General Methods A-E

Representative compounds of the invention were prepared according toMethods A to E as described below and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

It will be appreciated that in the following general methods andpreparation of synthetic intermediates, reagent levels and relativeamounts or reagents/intermediates can be changed to suit particularcompounds to be synthesized, up or down by up to 50% without significantchange in expected results.

Method A: General Method for Deprotection Followed by Coupling ReactionUsing EDC/HOBt/DIPEA.

HCl Solution in dioxane (4M, 5 ml) was added to respective carbamatecompound (0.125 mmol) and stirred for 2 hrs at RT. The reaction mixturewas concentrated to dryness under vacuum and swapped with MeOH (5 ml)three times. The resulting residue was dried well under vacuum andsubjected to next reaction as it was. The residue obtained above,respective acid moiety (0.125 mmol), EDC (0.19 mmol), HOBt (0.16 mmol)and DIPEA (0.5 mmol) were stirred in anhydrous DCM (5 ml) for 16 hrs.The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum to give the crudeproduct which was purified on a C18 column using 10-50% MeOH in water toyield product as an off-white solid (35-55%).

Method B: General Method for Deprotection Followed by Reaction withAnhydride.

HCl Solution in dioxane (4M, 5 ml) was added to a representativeBoc-protected compound (0.125 mmol) and stirred for 2 hrs at RT. Thereaction mixture was concentrated to dryness under vacuum and washedwith MeOH (5 ml) three times. The resulting residue was dried well undervacuum and subjected to next reaction as it was. The residue obtainedabove, the respective anhydride moiety (0.125 mmol), and triethylamine(0.5 mmol) were added to anhydrous DCM (5 mL) and stirred for 16 hrs.The mixture was concentrated under vacuum to give the crude productwhich was purified on a C18 column using 10-50% MeOH in water to yieldproduct as an off-white solid (40-60%).

Method C: General Method of Hydrolysis Using LiOH.

The above scheme and following description illustrates is representativemethod utilizing an azaindoline P2 component.

To the stirring solution of the ester compound (0.08 mmol) in ethanol (1ml) was added solution of LiOH.H₂O (0.4 mmol) in water (0.5 ml). Afterstirring the reaction mixture for 5 hrs at RT, the mixture was acidifiedusing citric acid (saturated solution) and concentrated under vacuum togive the crude product which was purified on a C18 column using 10-40%MeOH in water to yield product as an off-white solid (50-65%).

Method D: General Method for Boc Deprotection.

HCl Solution in dioxane (4M, 0.5 ml) was added to the respectivecarbamate compound (0.06 mmol) and stirred for 3 hrs at RT. The reactionmixture was concentrated under vacuum to give the crude product whichwas purified on a C18 column using 10-40% MeOH in water to yield productas an off-white solid (50-60%).

Method E: General Method for Deprotection Followed by Reaction withAnhydride.

This method is an improved procedure for the method B. HCl Solution indioxane (4 M, 5 ml) was added to a representative Boc-protected compound(0.125 mmol) and stirred for 2 hrs at RT. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated to dryness under vacuum and swapped with MeOH (5 ml) threetimes. The resulting residue was dried well under vacuum and subjectedto next reaction as it was. The residue obtained above, the respectiveanhydride moiety (0.19 mmol, 1.5 eq.), and triethylamine (0.5 mmol, 4eq.) were added to anhydrous DCM (5 mL) and stirred for 16 hrs. Themixture was acidified with formic acid and then concentrated undervacuum to give the crude product which was purified on a C18 columnusing 25-65% MeOH in water to yield product as an off-white solid(30-80%).

The following examples are provided for the purpose of illustrating, notlimiting, the invention.

EXAMPLES Synthetic Intermediates

The following is a description of synthetic intermediates (I-1 to I-10)useful for making representative compounds of the invention.

Intermediate I-1

Ethyl 5-formyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate (I-1)

To an ice cold solution of DMF (9.3 mL, 0.121 mmol, 1.12 eq.) inanhydrous DCM (23 mL) was added phosphorus oxychloride (11.1 mL, 0.120mL, 1.11 eq.) dropwise. A solution of ethyl pyrrole-2-carboxylate (15 g,0.108 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (23 mL) was then added slowly to thereaction mixture, which was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h and then heated toreflux for 3 hrs until no more starting material was seen on TLC. Thereaction mixture was allowed to cool to RT, diluted with EtOAc (150 mL)and water (150 mL) and the washed with NaHCO₃ (saturated) (2×450 mL).The aqueous layer was re-extracted with ethyl acetate (3×150 mL) and thecombined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. Theproduct was then purified by column chromatography using 5% to 30% ethylacetate in hexanes as the eluent to give I-1 as a white solid (11.95 g,66%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.40 (3H, t, J=7 Hz), 4.39 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 6.95 (2H, d, J=2 Hz), 9.68 (1H, s).

Intermediate I-2

Ethyl5-((S)-1-(((S)-2-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate(I-2)

I-1 (5 g, 29.91 mmol) and L-phenylglycinol (4.10 g, 29.91 mmol) weredissolved in anhydrous DCM (120 mL) containing Na₂SO₄ (7.5 g) under N₂.The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 16 hrs and was then filteredto remove Na₂SO₄. The filtrate was concentrated and dried well undervacuum. The pinkish obtained residue was dissolved in anhydrous THF (150mL) under N₂ and cooled to −5° C. A solution of isopropyl magnesiumbromide in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2.9 M, 46.4 mL, 134.6 mmol, 4.5 eq.)was then added dropwise. The reaction mixture turned greenish and thenbecame dark brown. It was stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 h and then at RT for48 hrs. The reaction mixture was then acidified by adding NH₄Cl (150 mL,saturated) and HCl (1 N, 150 mL, aqueous). The mixture was diluted withethyl acetate (300 mL) and carefully basified until pH≈13 with NaOH (1N, aqueous). The organic phase was then collected and the aqueous phasewas extracted with ethyl acetate (3×300 mL). The combined organic layerswere dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. The product was then purifiedby column chromatography using 5% to 30% ethyl acetate in hexanes as theeluent to give I-2 as a yellow oil (3.07 g, 31%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 0.86 (3H, d, J=6 Hz), 0.95 (3H, d, J=6 Hz), 1.34 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.99 (1H, m), 3.56 (1H, d, J=6 Hz), 3.62 (1H, dd, J=8, 12 Hz),3.74-3.80 (2H, m), 4.26 (2H, q, J=7 Hz), 5.91 (1H, m), 6.75 (1H, m),7.14-7.30 (5H, m), 9.12 (1H, s).

Intermediate I-3

(S)-ethyl 5-(1-amino-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylat (I-3)

I-2 (3.07 g, 9.291 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture ofmethanol/water/acetic acid (46 mL, 20:2:1 (v/v/v)) and palladium oncharcoal 10% by wt (310 mg) was added to the solution under N₂. Theflask was then flushed with H₂ and H₂ was bubbled into the reactionmixture for 16 hrs. The flask was flushed with N₂ and the reactionmixture was filtered over CELITE™. The solids were washed with methanol(3×100 mL) and the filtrate and washings were then concentrated to giveI-3 as an orange oil (1.95 g, quantitative). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ0.89 (3H, d, J=6 Hz), 0.92 (3H, d, J=6 Hz), 1.36 (3H, t, J=7 Hz), 1.94(1H, m), 3.85 (1H, d, J=6 Hz), 4.31 (2H, q, J=7 Hz), 6.01 (1H, m), 6.87(1H, m), 9.50 (1H, s).

Intermediate I-4

(S)-5-(1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylicacid (I-4)

I-3 (1.78 g, 8.474 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (50 mL) and a solutionof LiOH (356 mg, 8.474 mmol, 1 eq.) in water (10 mL) was added, followedby a solution of Boc₂O (2.03 g, 9.321 mmol, 1.1 eq.) in dioxane (25 mL).The reaction was left at RT for 1 h and the solvent was concentrated togive an orange oil which was dissolved in ethanol (40 mL) and was addeda solution of LiOH (2.13 g, 50.79 mmol, 6 eq.) in water (20 mL). Thereaction mixture was heated to 70° C. for 4 hrs and was then acidifiedwith citric acid (sat'd, aqueous) to pH 5. The solvents were thenevaporated and the product was purified by column chromatography using10% to 55% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give I-4 as anorange solid (1.64 g, 68%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.68 (3H, d, J=6Hz), 0.80 (3H, d, J=6 Hz), 1.35 (9H, s), 1.80 (1H, m), 4.37 (1H, t, J=9Hz), 5.95 (1H, m), 6.60 (1H, m), 7.07 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 11.3 (1H, s),12.07 (1H, s).

Intermediate I-5

Ethyl5-((S)-cyclopentyl(((S)-2-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl)amino)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate(I-5)

I-1 (4 g, 22.92 mmol) and L-phenylglycinol (3.28 g, 23.92 mmol) weredissolved in anhydrous DCM (100 mL) containing Na₂SO₄ (6 g) under N₂.The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 16 hrs and was then filteredto remove Na₂SO₄. The filtrate was concentrated and dried well undervacuum. The pinkish obtained residue was dissolved in anhydrous THF (180mL) under N₂ and cooled to −5° C. A solution of cyclopentyl magnesiumbromide in diethyl ether (2 M, 53.8 mL, 107.7 mmol, 4.5 eq.) was thenadded dropwise. The reaction mixture turned greenish and then becamedark brown. It was stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 h and then at RT for 48 hrs.The reaction mixture was then acidified by adding NH₄Cl (90 mL, sat'd,aqueous) and HCl (1 N, 90 mL). The mixture was diluted with ethylacetate (200 mL) and carefully basified until pH≈13 with NaOH (1 N,aqueous). The organic phase was then collected and the aqueous phase wasextracted with ethyl acetate (3×200 mL). The combined organic layerswere dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. The product was then purifiedby column chromatography using 5% to 35% ethyl acetate in hexanes as theeluent to give I-5 as a orange oil (3.44 g, 40%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 1.15 (1H, m), 1.34 (3H, t, J=7 Hz), 1.38 (1H, m), 1.43-1.65(5H, m), 1.93 (1H, m), 2.15 (1H, m), 3.53-3.62 (2H, m), 3.70-3.79 (2H,m), 4.26 (2H, q, J=7 Hz), 5.92 (1H, m), 6.70 (1H, m), 7.14-7.24 (5H, m),9.15 (1H, s).

Intermediate I-6

(S)-ethyl5-(((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate(I-6)

I-5 (3.44 g, 9.650 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture ofmethanol/water/acetic acid (60 mL, 20:2:1 (v/v/v)) and palladium oncharcoal 10% by wt (350 mg) was added to the solution under N₂. Theflask was then flushed with H₂ and H₂ was bubbled into the reactionmixture for 16 hrs. The flask was flushed with N₂ and the reactionmixture was filtered over CELITE™. The solids were washed with methanol(3×50 mL) and the filtrate and washings were then concentrated to givean orange oil that was dissolved in dioxane (75 mL) and a solution ofLiOH (405 mg, 9.650 mmol, 1 eq.) in water (20 mL) was added, followed bya solution of Boc₂O (2.32 g, 10.62 mmol, 1.1 eq.) in dioxane (25 mL).The reaction was left at RT for 2 h and the solvent was concentrated.The product was then purified by column chromatography using 5% to 10%ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give I-6 as a orange oil (2.00g, 62%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.25 (1H, m), 1.34 (3H, t, J=7 Hz),1.38-1.45 (10H, m), 1.51-1.72 (5H, m), 1.83 (1H, m), 2.35 (1H, m), 4.30(2H, q, J=7 Hz), 4.46 (1H, m), 4.98 (1H, m), 6.05 (1H, m), 6.85 (1H, m),9.63 (1H, s).

Intermediate I-7

(S)-5-(((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylicacid (I-7)

I-6 (2.00 g, 5.945 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in ethanol (60 mL) and wasadded a solution of LiOH (1.50 g, 35.67 mmol, 6 eq.) in water (30 mL).The reaction mixture was heated to 70° C. for 4 hrs and was thenacidified with a saturated solution of citric acid to pH 5. The solventswere then evaporated and the product was purified by columnchromatography using 20% to 80% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluentto give I-7 as an orange solid (1.83 g, quantitative). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ 1.10 (1H, m), 1.20-1.64 (16H, m), 2.10 (1H, m), 4.39 (1H, t,J=10 Hz), 5.98 (1H, m), 6.57 (1H, m), 7.09 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 11.27 (1H,s), 12.07 (1H, s).

Intermediate I-8

(S)-ethyl indoline-2-carboxylate hydrochloride (I-8)

(S)-indoline-2-carboxylic acid (500 mg, 306 mmol) was suspended in EtOH(5 mL) at 0° C. and thionyl chloride (0.450 mL, 6.127 mmol, 2 eq.) wasadded. The resulting clear mixture was allowed to come to RT and stirredfor 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then concentrated to dryness andswapped with EtOH (2×10 mL). The solid obtained was dried well underreduced pressure to give a light brown solid (0.58 g, quantitative). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.18 (3H, s), 3.10-3.18 (1H, m), 3.30-3.40 (1H,m), 4.05-4.17 (2H, m), 4.55 (1H, bs), 6.80 (2H, bs), 7.02-7.08 (2H, m),7.7 (2H, bs).

Intermediate I-9

(2S,4R)-Methyl 4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylate hydrochloride (I-9)

(2S,4R)-Methyl 4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylate hydrochloride wasprepared from Boc-trans-L-4-hydroxyproline methyl ester using method D.MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 146.00, expected 146.08 [M+H]. Compound wasconfirmed using LC/MS and moved to next step as it was.

Intermediate I-10

(2S,4S)-Methyl 4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylate hydrochloride (I-10)

(2S,4S)-Methyl 4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylate hydrochloride wasprepared from Boc-cis-L-4-hydroxyproline methyl ester using method D. MS(LC/MS) m/z observed 146.01, expected 146.08 [M+H]. Compound wasconfirmed using LC/MS and moved to next step as it was.

Representative Granzyme B Inhibitor Compounds

The following is a description of the preparation of representativeGranzyme B inhibitor compounds of the invention.

Examples C1-C9 were prepared by the representative synthetic pathwayillustrated schematically in FIG. 3.

Example C13-{[2-methyl-1-{5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}propyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid

I-8 (318.4 mg, 1.403 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and HATU (533.5 mg, 1.403 mmol, 1.2eq.) were dissolved in DCM (10 mL). To this mixture was added DIPEA(0.814 mL, 4.676 mmol, 4 eq.), followed by a solution of I-4 (330 mg,1.169 mmol, 1 eq.) in DCM (5 mL) dropwise over 15 minutes. The reactionwas left at RT for 2 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the product waspurified by column chromatography using 5% to 25% ethyl acetate inhexanes as the eluent to give (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylateas a white solid (247 mg, 46%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.90-0.96 (6H,m), 1.17 (3H, t, J=7 Hz), 1.44 (9H, s), 2.10 (1H, m), 3.23 (1H, d, J=17Hz), 3.66 (1H, dd, J=11, 16 Hz), 4.09-4.23 (2H, m), 4.54 (1H, m), 4.86(1H, m), 5.33 (1H, d, J=11 Hz), 6.04 (1H, m), 6.48 (1H, m), 7.02 (1H, t,J=7 Hz), 7.15 (1H, d, J=7 Hz), 7.22 (1H, t, J=8 Hz), 8.15 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 9.65 (1H, s). ¹H NMR confirmed the structure and it was used aswas.

(S)-1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-Butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylicacid was prepared from (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylateusing method C with 2 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 427.97,expected 428.22 [M+H]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved tonext step as it was.

tert-Butyl((S)-1-(5-((S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)indoline-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamatewas prepared from(S)-1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylicacid and (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl-amine using method A in DMF butwithout HCl treatment. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved tonext step as it was.

Title compound3-{[2-methyl-1-{5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}propyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid (C1) was prepared from tert-butyl((S)-1-(5-((S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)indoline-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamateand succinic anhydride using method E and separated by chromatography,into two diastereoisomers (C1-1 and C1-2).

C1-1

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.72 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 0.81 (3H, d, J=7 Hz),1.90 (1H, m), 2.33-2.47 (4H, m), 3.12 (1H, d, J=17 Hz), 3.63 (1H, dd,J=11, 16 Hz), 4.38-4.59 (2H, m), 4.78 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 5.33 (1H, d, J=11Hz), 5.99 (1H, m), 6.44 (1H, m), 6.99 (1H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.17 (1H, d, J=7Hz), 7.22 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 8.02 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 8.09 (1H, d, J=8 Hz),8.92 (1H, bs), 11.30 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 508.95, expected509.23 [M+H].

C1-2

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.72 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 0.81 (3H, d, J=7 Hz),1.90 (1H, m), 2.33-2.47 (4H, m), 3.12 (1H, d, J=17 Hz), 3.63 (1H, dd,J=11, 16 Hz), 4.43 (1H, dd, J=5, 11 Hz), 4.55 (1H, dd, J=5, 11 Hz), 4.78(1H, t, J=9 Hz), 5.33 (1H, d, J=11 Hz), 5.99 (1H, m), 6.44 (1H, m), 6.99(1H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.17 (1H, d, J=7 Hz), 7.22 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 8.02 (1H,d, J=8 Hz), 8.09 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 8.92 (1H, bs), 11.30 (1H, s), MS(LC/MS) m/z observed 508.98, expected 509.23 [M+H].

Example C2(2S)-1-({5-[2-methyl-1-(2-phenylacetamido)propyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl}-N-(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

(S)-Ethyl1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylate(238.3 mg, 0.523 mmol, from Example C1) was suspended in HCl in dioxane(4 M, 15 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hrs at RT. Thereaction mixture was then concentrated to dryness and swapped with MeOH(2×25 mL). The solid obtained was dried well under reduced pressure togive a brown residue that was dissolved in anhydrous DCM (15 mL) andadded NEt₃ (0.292 mL, 2.092 mmol, 4 eq.). Phenylacetyl chloride (0.076mL, 0.575 mmol, 1.1 eq.) was then added dropwise to the reaction mixtureand it was stirred for 15 min at RT. The solvent was then concentratedand the product was purified by column chromatography using 5% to 45%ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-2-methyl-1-(2-phenylacetamido)propyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylateas a white solid (140 mg, 56%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.71 (3H, d,J=7 Hz), 0.78 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 1.09 (3H, t, J=7 Hz), 1.92 (1H, m), 3.16(1H, d, J=16 Hz), 3.42-3.54 (2H, m), 3.69 (1H, m), 4.03-4.11 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 4.79 (1H, t, J=8 Hz), 5.56 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 6.04 (1H, m), 6.48(1H, m), 7.02 (1H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.17-7.33 (6H, m), 8.07 (1H, d, J=8 Hz),8.24 (1H, d, J=9 Hz), 11.42 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 473.96,expected 474.24 [M+H]

(S)-1-(5-((S)-2-methyl-1-(2-phenylacetamido)propyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylicacid was prepared from (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-2-methyl-1-(2-phenylacetamido)propyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylateusing method C with 2 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.71(3H, d, J=7 Hz), 0.78 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 1.92 (1H, m), 3.16 (1H, d, J=16Hz), 3.42-3.54 (2H, m), 3.67 (1H, dd, J=12, 17 Hz), 4.79 (1H, m), 5.39(1H, d, J=11 Hz), 6.04 (1H, m), 6.48 (1H, m), 7.02 (1H, t, J=7 Hz),7.16-7.32 (6H, m), 8.07 (1H, m), 8.24 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 11.42 (1H, s), MS(LC/MS) m/z observed 445.97, expected 446.21 [M+H].

Title compound(2S)-1-{5-[2-methyl-1-(2-phenylacetamido)propyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl}-N-(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide(C2) was prepared from(S)-1-(5-((S)-2-methyl-1-(2-phenylacetamido)propyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylicacid and (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl-amine using method A in DMF butwithout HCl treatment. An inseparable mixture of two diastereoisomerswas obtained. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.68-0.82 (6H, m), 1.92 (1H,m), 3.13 (1H, m), 3.42-3.54 (2H, m), 3.65 (1H, m), 4.46 (1H, m), 4.56(1H, dd, J=6, 16 Hz), 4.79 (1H, m), 5.33 (1H, d, J=11 Hz), 6.00 (1H, m),6.43 (1H, m), 6.98 (1H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.16-7.32 (6H, m), 8.03 (1H, m),8.24 (1H, m), 9.02 (1H, bs), 11.35 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed526.95, expected 527.25 [M+H].

Example C33-{[2-methyl-1-[5-({[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]propyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid

Glycine ethyl ester hydrochloride (207.8 mg, 1.489 mmol, 1.2 eq.), HOBt(227.8 mg, 1.489 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and EDC (309.3 mg, 1.616 mmol, 1.3 eq.)were dissolved in DCM (10 mL). To this mixture was added DIPEA (0.864mL, 4.964 mmol, 4 eq.), followed by a solution of I-4 (350 mg, 1.241mmol, 1 eq.) in DCM (5 mL) dropwise over 15 minutes. The reaction wasleft at RT for 2 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the product waspurified by column chromatography using 5% to 35% ethyl acetate inhexanes as the eluent to give(S)-{[5-(1-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-propyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl]-amino}-aceticacid ethyl ester as a white solid (225 mg, 49%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 0.82 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 0.94 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 1.30 (3H, t, J=7 Hz), 1.43(9H, s), 2.00 (1H, m), 4.22-4.28 (4H, m), 4.52 (1H, m), 5.78 (1H, d,J=17 Hz), 6.04 (1H, m), 6.43 (1H, m), 6.58 (1H, m), 10.37 (1H, s). ¹HNMR confirmed the structure and the product was used as it was.

{[5-(1-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-propyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl]-amino}-aceticacid was prepared from(S)-{[5-(1-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-propyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl]-amino}-aceticacid ethyl ester using method C with 2 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. ¹H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d6) δ 0.67 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 0.84 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 1.36 (9H, s),1.86 (1H, m), 3.60-3.80 (2H, m), 4.30 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 5.89 (1H, m),6.58 (1H, m), 7.98 (1H, s). ¹H NMR confirmed the structure and thecompound was used as it was.

(S)-tert-Butyl(1-(5-((2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)carbamoyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamatewas prepared from{[5-(1-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methyl-propyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl]-amino}-aceticacid and (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl-amine using method A in DMF butwithout HCl treatment. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 420.99, expected 421.23[M+H]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved to next step as itwas.

Title compound3-{[2-methyl-1-[5-({[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]propyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid (C3) was prepared from (S)-tert-butyl(1-(5-((2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)carbamoyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamateand succinic anhydride using method E and obtained as a mixture of twoenantiomers. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.72 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 0.81 (3H,d, J=7 Hz), 1.87 (1H, m), 2.30-2.47 (4H, m), 3.82-3.92 (2H, m), 4.56(2H, d, J=6 Hz), 4.74 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 5.95 (1H, m), 6.72 (1H, m), 8.02(1H, d, J=10 Hz), 8.23 (1H, t, J=8 Hz), 8.63 (1H, d, J=6 Hz), 11.12 (1H,bs), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 420.96, expected 421.19 [M+H]

Example C43-{[2-methyl-1-{5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}propyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid

Proline ethyl ester hydrochloride (271.1 mg, 1.509 mmol, 1.2 eq.) andHATU (573.7 mg, 1.509 mmol, 1.2 eq.) were dissolved in DMF (15 mL). Tothis mixture was added DIPEA (0.875 mL, 5.028 mmol, 4 eq.), followed bya solution of I-4 (355 mg, 1.257 mmol, 1 eq.) in DMF (5 mL) dropwiseover 15 minutes. The reaction was left at RT for 2 hrs. The solvent wasevaporated and the product was purified by column chromatography using5% to 35% ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylateas a white solid (344 mg, 67%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.88-0.94 (6H,m), 1.23-1.31 (3H, m), 1.43 (9H, m), 1.95-2.30 (5H, m), 3.83 (1H, m),3.93 (1H, m), 4.18-4.28 (2H, m), 4.55 (1H, m), 4.66 (1H, m), 4.86 (1H,m), 6.05 (1H, m), 6.57 (1H, m), 9.48 (1H, s). ¹H NMR confirmed thestructure and it was used further as it was.

(S)-1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylicacid was prepared from (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylateusing method C with 2 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 379.99,expected 380.22 [M+H]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved tonext step as it was.

tert-Butyl((S)-1-(5-((S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamatewas prepared from(S)-1-(5-((S)-1-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-2-methylpropyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylicacid and (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl-amine using method A in DMF butwithout HCl treatment. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 460.98, expected 461.26[M+H]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved to next step as itwas.

Title compound3-{[2-methyl-1-{5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}propyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid (C4) was prepared from tert-butyl((S)-1-(5-((S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamateand succinic anhydride using method E. An inseparable mixture of twodiastereoisomers was obtained. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.72 (3H, d,J=7 Hz), 0.81 (3H, d, J=7 Hz), 1.82-2.00 (5H, m), 2.28-2.45 (4H, m),3.68-3.87 (2H, m), 4.45-4.57 (3H, m), 4.77 (1H, t, J=8 Hz), 6.02 (1H,m), 6.58 (1H, m), 8.05 (1H, dd, J=3, 10 Hz), 8.65 (1H, s), 11.10 (1H,s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 460.97, expected 461.23 [M+H]

Example C53-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid

I-8 (516.7 mg, 2.276 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and HATU (865.4 mg, 2.276 mmol, 1.2eq.) were dissolved in DCM (20 mL). To this mixture was added DIPEA(1.32 mL, 7.588 mmol, 4 eq.), followed by a solution of I-7 (585 mg,1.897 mmol, 1 eq.) in DCM (10 mL) dropwise over 15 minutes. The reactionwas left at RT for 2 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the product waspurified by column chromatography using 5% to 20% ethyl acetate inhexanes as the eluent to give (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylateas a white solid (448 mg, 49%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.16 (3H, t,J=6Hz), 1.25 (1H, m), 1.35-1.47 (10H, m), 1.51-1.72 (5H, m), 1.82 (1H,m), 2.32 (1H, m), 3.23 (1H, d, J=17 Hz), 3.66 (1H, dd, J=11, 16 Hz),4.09-4.23 (2H, m), 4.54 (1H, m), 4.86 (1H, m), 5.34 (1H, d, J=11 Hz),6.06 (1H, m), 6.48 (1H, m), 7.02 (1H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.17 (1H, d, J=7 Hz),7.22 (1H, t, J=8 Hz), 8.15 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 9.70 (1H, s). ¹H NMRconfirmed the structure and the product was used further as it was.

(S)-1-(5-((S)-((tert-Butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylicacid was prepared from (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylateusing method C with 2 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 453.89,expected 454.23 [M+H]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved tonext step as it was.

tert-Butyl((S)-(5-((S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)indoline-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamatewas prepared from(S)-1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylicacid and (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl-amine using method A in DMF butwithout HCl treatment. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 556.97, expected 557.26[M+Na]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved to next step as itwas.

Title compound3-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid (C5) was prepared from tert-butyl((S)-(5-((S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)indoline-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamateand succinic anhydride using method E and were separated bychromatography, into two diastereoisomers (C5-1 and C5-2).

C5-1

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.10-1.65 (8H, m), 2.15 (1H, m), 2.27-2.45(4H, m), 3.12 (1H, d, J=17 Hz), 3.63 (1H, dd, J=11, 16 Hz), 4.41 (1H,dd, J=5, 16 Hz), 4.55 (1H, dd, J=5, 16 Hz), 4.78 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 5.33(1H, d, J=11 Hz), 5.98 (1H, m), 6.37 (1H, m), 6.98 (1H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.15(1H, d, J=7 Hz), 7.21 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.98 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 8.13 (1H,d, J=8 Hz), 8.97 (1H, bs), 11.23 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed534.88, expected 535.24 [M+H].

C5-2

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.10-1.65 (8H, m), 2.15 (1H, m), 2.27-2.45(4H, m), 3.12 (1H, d, J=17 Hz), 3.63 (1H, dd, J=11, 16 Hz), 4.41 (1H,dd, J=5, 16 Hz), 4.55 (1H, dd, J=5, 16 Hz), 4.78 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 5.33(1H, d, J=11 Hz), 5.98 (1H, m), 6.37 (1H, m), 6.98 (1H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.15(1H, d, J=7 Hz), 7.21 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.98 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 8.13 (1H,d, J=8 Hz), 8.97 (1H, bs), 11.23 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed534.88, expected 535.24 [M+H].

Example C6(2S)-1-{5-[cyclopentyl(2-phenylacetamido)methyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl}-N-(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

(S)-Ethyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylate(200 mg, 0.415 mmol, from Example C5) was suspended in HCl in dioxane (4M, 15 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hrs at RT. Thereaction mixture was then concentrated to dryness and swapped with MeOH(2×25 mL). The solid obtained was dried well under reduced pressure togive a brown residue that was dissolved in anhydrous DCM (15 mL) andadded NEt₃ (0.231 mL, 1.660 mmol, 4 eq.). Phenylacetyl chloride (0.060mL, 0.457 mmol, 1.1 eq.) was then added dropwise to the reaction mixtureand it was stirred for 15 min at RT. The solvent was then concentratedand the product was purified by column chromatography using 5% to 40%ethyl acetate in hexanes as the eluent to give (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-cyclopentyl(2-phenylacetamido)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylateas a white solid (140 mg, 46%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.08 (3H, t,J=7 Hz), 1.10-1.60 (8H, m), 2.16 (1H, m), 3.15 (1H, d, J=17 Hz),3.35-3.48 (2H, m), 3.65 (1H, dd, J=11, 16 Hz), 4.05 (2H, q, J=7 Hz),4.78 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 5.52 (1H, d, J=11 Hz), 6.03 (1H, m), 6.43 (1H, m),6.98 (1H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.15-7.30 (6H, m), 8.04 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 8.28 (1H,d, J=9 Hz), 11.23 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 499.89, expected500.25 [M+H]

(S)-1-(5-((S)-Cyclopentyl(2-phenylacetamido)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylicacid was prepared from (S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-cyclopentyl(2-phenylacetamido)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylateusing method C with 2 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 471.86,expected 472.22 [M+H]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved tonext step as it was.

Title compound(2S)-1-{5-[cyclopentyl(2-phenylacetamido)methyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl}-N-(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide(C6) was prepared from(S)-1-(5-((S)-cyclopentyl(2-phenylacetamido)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)indoline-2-carboxylicacid and (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methylamine using method A in DMF but withoutHCl treatment and were separated by chromatography, into twodiastereoisomers (C6-1 and C6-2).

C6-1

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.10-1.60 (8H, m), 2.20 (1H, m), 3.12 (1H,d, J=17 Hz), 3.35-3.48 (2H, m), 3.60 (1H, dd, J=11, 16 Hz), 4.38 (1H,dd, J=5, 17 Hz), 4.53 (1H, dd, J=5, 17 Hz), 4.78 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 5.32(1H, d, J=11 Hz), 5.98 (1H, m), 6.42 (1H, m), 6.97 (1H, t, J=7 Hz),7.15-7.30 (6H, m), 8.00 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 8.28 (1H, d, J=9 Hz), 8.86 (1H,bs), 11.28 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 552.85, expected 553.27[M+H].

C6-2

MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 552.87, expected 553.27 [M+H].

Example C73-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid

I-9 (282.6 mg, 1.556 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and HATU (591.6 mg, 1.556 mmol, 1.2eq.) were dissolved in DMF (15 mL). To this mixture was added DIPEA(0.903 mL, 5.188 mmol, 4 eq.), followed by a solution of I-7 (400 mg,1.297 mmol, 1 eq.) in DMF (5 mL) dropwise over 15 minutes. The reactionwas left at RT for 2 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the product waspurified by column chromatography using 5% to 50% ethyl acetate inhexanes as the eluent to give (2S,4R)-methyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylateas a white solid (201.9 mg, 36%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.10 (1H,m), 1.20-1.65 (15H, m), 1.86 (1H, m), 2.10 (1H, m), 2.32 (1H, m), 3.50(1H, m), 3.59 (3H, s), 3.92 (1H, m), 4.32-4.41 (2H, m), 4.54 (1H, m),5.12 (1H, bs), 6.06 (1H, m), 6.52 (1H, m), 7.16 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 11.04(1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 435.85, expected 436.24 [M+H]

(2S,4R)-1-(5-((S)-((tert-Butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylicacid was prepared from (2S,4R)-methyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylateusing method C with 2 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.10(1H, m), 1.20-1.65 (15H, m), 1.82 (1H, m), 2.10 (2H, m), 2.32 (1H, m),3.50 (1H, m), 3.92 (1H, m), 4.30-4.40 (2H, m), 4.48 (1H, m), 6.00 (1H,m), 6.48 (1H, m), 7.19 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 11.02 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/zobserved 421.85, expected 422.23 [M+H].

tert-Butyl((S)-(5-((2S,4R)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamatewas prepared from(2S,4R)-1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylicacid and (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl-amine using method A in DMF butwithout HCl treatment. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 502.87, expected 503.27[M+H]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved to next step as itwas.

Title compound3-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid (C7) was prepared from tert-butyl((S)-(5-((2S,4R)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamateand succinic anhydride using method E and were separated bychromatography, into two diastereoisomers (C7-1 and C7-2).

C7-1

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.15 (1H, m), 1.20-1.65 (7H, m), 1.90 (1H,m), 2.05 (1H, m), 2.16 (1H, m), 2.24-2.43 (4H, m), 3.65 (1H, d, J=10Hz), 3.86 (1H, m), 4.36 (1H, s), 4.48-4.58 (2H, m), 4.78 (1H, t, J=9Hz), 5.08 (1H, bs), 6.02 (1H, s), 6.50 (1H, s), 8.10 (1H, d, J=10 Hz),8.71 (1H, m), 11.08 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 502.93, expected503.24 [M+H].

C7-2

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.15 (1H, m), 1.20-1.65 (7H, m), 1.85 (1H,m), 2.15 (1H, m), 2.23-2.34 (3H, m), 2.35-2.43 (2H, m), 3.60 (1H, m),3.92 (1H, m), 4.32 (1H, bs), 4.48-4.58 (3H, m), 4.78 (1H, t, J=9 Hz),6.02 (1H, s), 6.52 (1H, s), 8.10 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 8.78 (1H, m), 11.08(1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 502.89, expected 503.24 [M+H].

Example C83-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid

I-10 (282.6 mg, 1.556 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and HATU (591.6 mg, 1.556 mmol, 1.2eq.) were dissolved in DMF (15 mL). To this mixture was added DIPEA(0.903 mL, 5.188 mmol, 4 eq.), followed by a solution of I-7 (400 mg,1.297 mmol, 1 eq.) in DMF (5 mL) dropwise over 15 minutes. The reactionwas left at RT for 2 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the product waspurified by column chromatography using 5% to 50% ethyl acetate inhexanes as the eluent to give (2S,4S)-methyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylateas a white solid (182.8 mg, 32%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.10 (1H,m), 1.20-1.65 (15H, m), 1.82 (1H, m), 2.05-2.15 (2H, m), 3.60 (3H, s),3.64 (1H, d, J=11 Hz), 3.85 (1H, m), 4.32-4.41 (2H, m), 4.52 (1H, t, J=9Hz), 5.15 (1H, bs), 6.01 (1H, m), 6.52 (1H, m), 7.14 (1H, d, J=10 Hz),11.07 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 435.84, expected 436.24 [M+H]

(2S,4S)-1-(5-((S)-((tert-Butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylicacid was prepared from (2S,4S)-methyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylateusing method C with 2 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.10(1H, m), 1.20-1.65 (15H, m), 1.82 (1H, m), 2.10 (2H, m), 2.32 (1H, m),3.50 (1H, m), 3.92 (1H, m), 4.30-4.40 (2H, m), 4.48 (1H, m), 6.00 (1H,m), 6.48 (1H, m), 7.19 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 11.02 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/zobserved 421.81, expected 422.23 [M+H].

tert-Butyl((S)-(5-((2S,4S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamatewas prepared from(2S,4S)-1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylicacid and (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl-amine using method A in DMF butwithout HCl treatment. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 502.87, expected 503.27[M+H]. Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved to next step as itwas.

Title compound3-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid (C8) was prepared from tert-butyl((S)-(5-((2S,4S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamateand succinic anhydride using method E and were separated bychromatography, into two diastereoisomers (C8-1 and C8-2).

C8-1

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.15 (1H, m), 1.20-1.65 (7H, m), 1.90 (1H,m), 2.05 (1H, m), 2.16 (1H, m), 2.24-2.43 (4H, m), 3.65 (1H, d, J=10Hz), 3.86 (1H, m), 4.36 (1H, s), 4.48-4.58 (2H, m), 4.78 (1H, t, J=9Hz), 5.08 (1H, bs), 6.02 (1H, s), 6.50 (1H, s), 8.10 (1H, d, J=10 Hz),8.67 (1H, m), 11.08 (1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 502.91, expected503.24 [M+H].

C8-2

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.15 (1H, m), 1.20-1.65 (7H, m), 1.85 (1H,m), 2.15 (1H, m), 2.23-2.34 (3H, m), 2.35-2.43 (2H, m), 3.60 (1H, m),3.92 (1H, m), 4.32 (1H, bs), 4.48-4.58 (3H, m), 4.78 (1H, t, J=9 Hz),6.02 (1H, s), 6.52 (1H, s), 8.10 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 8.78 (1H, m), 11.08(1H, s), MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 502.90, expected 503.24 [M+H].

Example C93-[({5-[(2S,4S)-4-cyclohexyl-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamoyl]propanoicacid

trans-4-Cyclohexyl-L-proline hydrochloride (450 mg, 1.925 mmol) wassuspended in EtOH (5 mL) at 0° C. and thionyl chloride (0.280 mL, 3.850mmol, 2 eq.) was added dropwise. The resulting clear mixture was allowedto come to RT and stirred for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was thenconcentrated to dryness and swapped with EtOH (2×10 mL). The solidobtained was dried well under reduced pressure to give (2S,4S)-ethyl4-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate hydrochloride as a white solid(504 mg, quantitative). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.68-0.80 (2H, m),0.88-1.12 (7H, m), 1.38-1.55 (5H, m), 1.70-1.82 (2H, m), 2.00 (1H, m),2.34 (2H, m), 2.66 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 4.01-4.09 (2H, m), 4.26 (1H, m), MS(LC/MS) m/z observed 226.09, expected 226.18 [M+H].

(2S,4S)-Ethyl 4-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate hydrochloride (560mg, 2.139 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and HATU (814.5 mg, 2.139 mmol, 1.2 eq.) weredissolved in DCM (20 mL). To this mixture was added DIPEA (1.24 mL,7.140 mmol, 4 eq.), followed by a solution of I-7 (550 mg, 1.785 mmol, 1eq.) in DCM (5 mL) dropwise over 15 minutes. The reaction was left at RTfor 2 hrs. The solvent was evaporated and the product was purified bycolumn chromatography using 5% to 30% ethyl acetate in hexanes as theeluent to give (2S,4S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylateas an orange solid (715.9 mg, 78%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.92-1.06(2H, m), 1.13-1.30 (8H, m), 1.35-1.45 (10H, m), 1.48-1.85 (12H, m), 2.12(1H, m), 2.20-2.32 (2H, m), 3.37 (1H, t, J=10 Hz), 4.10 (1H, m), 4.21(2H, q, J=8 Hz), 4.50 (1H, m), 4.72 (1H, d, J=9 Hz), 5.05 (1H, m), 6.06(1H, m), 6.53 (1H, m), 9.80 (1H, s). MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 515.93,expected 516.34 [M+H].

(2S,4S)-1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylicacid was prepared from (2S,4S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylateusing method C with 4 eq. of LiOH.H₂O. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ0.87-1.01 (2H, m), 1.05-1.75 (27H, m), 1.97 (1H, m), 2.10 (1H, m), 2.37(1H, m), 3.33 (1H, m), 3.96 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 4.27-4.44 (2H, m), 6.02(1H, m), 6.53 (1H, m), 7.19 (1H, d, J=10 Hz), 11.2 (1H, s), 12.40 (1H,bs). MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 487.90, expected 488.31 [M+H].

tert-Butyl((S)-(5-((2S,4S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)-4-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamatewas prepared from (2S,4S)-ethyl1-(5-((S)-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)(cyclopentyl)methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-4-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylateand (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl-amine using method A in DMF but without HCltreatment. MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 568.92, expected 569.36 [M+H].Compound was confirmed using LC/MS and moved to next step as it was.

Title compound3-[({5-[(2S,4S)-4-cyclohexyl-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamoyl]propanoicacid (C9) was prepared from tert-butyl((S)-(5-((2S,4S)-2-(((2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)carbamoyl)-4-cyclohexylpyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamateand succinic anhydride using method E. An inseparable mixture of twodiastereoisomers was obtained. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 0.87-1.01(2H, m), 1.07-1.75 (18H, m), 1.94 (1H, m), 2.16 (1H, m), 2.25-2.45 (5H,m), 3.36 (1H, m), 3.97 (1H, m), 4.38 (1H, m), 4.48-4.57 (2H, m), 4.78(1H, t, J=10 Hz), 6.02 (1H, m), 6.57 (1H, m), 8.12 (1H, d, J=9 Hz), 8.70(1H, m), 11.1 (1H, s). MS (LC/MS) m/z observed 568.99, expected 569.32[M+H].

Example D1 General Kinetic Enzyme Assay Protocol

A specific 2× assay buffer was prepared for the enzyme to be tested (seeTable 2 for final 1× assay buffer compositions). If the assay bufferincluded DTT, it was added immediately prior to running the assay. A 2×enzyme mix was prepared (see Table 3 for enzyme assay conditions) at 80uL per well. Compounds were screened at one or two appropriateconcentrations (to determine the percent inhibition at thoseconcentrations) and/or a full dose response curve (typically 8 points,to identify the IC₅₀) in duplicate, triplicate, or higher replicates asneeded. An appropriate control was also assessed in full dose response,in duplicate for each assay/plate. Background control wells consisted of1× assay buffer, DMSO (5% v/v) and substrate. Positive control wellsconsisted of enzyme, DMSO (5% v/v) and substrate. Test compounds andcontrol compounds were diluted in DMSO to 40× the final desiredconcentration. For example, a test compound may be tested in doseresponse, in serial, tripling dilution condition starting at 20 uM andending at 9.1 nM (or any appropriate concentration range and dilutionscheme). Control compounds were prepared similarly. Diluted compoundswere prepared in a dilution plate and transferred to the reaction plate(96-well medium binding plate (Greiner Bio-One FLUOTRAC™)) to allow forthe desired final concentrations when added to the enzyme with AB. Aftermixing, the reaction plate was placed on a shaker (at 300 RPM) for 5min, followed by incubation (covered) on the bench, for 20 min. Plateswere warmed to reaction temperature (see Table 3) for a total incubationtime of 30 min. Plates so prepared were ready for addition of substrateand the subsequent reaction.

An appropriate substrate for each assay was prepared in advance at 2×the final desired concentration (see Table 2) in DMSO. The appropriatesubstrate mix was added to each appropriate well on the reaction plate,and the plate was read immediately in the TECAN plate reader (TECANINFINITE® M1000 Pro), set to the correct wavelength as needed for eachassay (see Table 3) using 25 cycles, kinetic interval of 1 min, numberof reads per well of 20 with shaking set to is, double orbital, 2 mmamplitude. For fluorescent assays the gain was set to optimal (50%).

TABLE 2 Assay Buffer Composition. Enzyme Assay Buffer CompositionCaspase 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8*, 9 & 10/a 50 mM HEPES pH 7.2 (General caspaseassay buffer) 50 mM NaCl 0.1% (w/v) CHAPS 10 mM EDTA 5% (v/v) Glycerol10 mM DTT GzmB & Caspase 8 50 mM HEPES pH 7.5 10% (w/v) sucrose 0.2%(w/v) CHAPS 5 mM DTT *Can also use GzmB assay buffer for the Caspase-8assay; Assay buffer components were sourced as follows: HEPES, DTT,Glycerol and sucrose: Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA, NaCl and EDTA:Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, CHAPS: Calbiochem, Billerica,MA, USA.

TABLE 3 Enzyme assay conditions. Substrate Assay Enzyme Conc. Ex/Em λ*Temp Name Conc. Name (μM) (nm) (° C.) Control Inhibitor hGzmB 10 nMAc-IEPD-AMC 150 380/460 30 Ac-IEPD-CHO Caspase-1  6.25 mU/μl YVAD-AFC 25400/505 37 Z-VAD-FMK Caspase-3 and  6.25 mU/μl Ac-DEVD- 20 380/460 37Z-VAD-FMK Caspase 7 AMC Caspase-4 and 3.125 mU/ul Ac-WEHD- 100 400/50537 Z-WEHD-FMK Caspase-5 AFC Caspase-8 3.125 mU/ul Ac-IEPD-AMC 75 380/46030 Ac-IEPD-CHO Caspase-9 3.125 mU/ul LEHD-AFC 50 400/505 37 Q-LEHD-OphCaspase-10/a  6.25 mU/μl Ac-IETD-AMC 100 400/505 30 Ac-AEVD-CHO *Ex/Em λis the excitation and emission wavelengths at which to measurefluorescence. Enzyme and substrate concentrations are the finalconcentrations in the well. Note that most protocols require preparing2X enzyme and substrate mixes, as they are diluted 2-fold in the well.

Enzymes were sourced as follows: hGzmB, Froelich Lab, NorthshoreUniversity Health Systems Research Institute, Evanston, Ill., USA;Caspases, Biovision Inc., Milpitas, Calif., USA. Substrates were sourcedas follows: Ac-IEPD-AMC, California Peptide Research Inc., Napa, Calif.,USA; YVAD-AFC, Biovision Inc., Milpitas, Calif., USA; Ac-DEVD-AMC,LEHD-AFC, AC-WEHD-AFC and Ac-IETD-AMC, Enzo Life Sciences Inc,Farmingdale, N.Y., USA. Control inhibitors were sourced as follows:Ac-IEPD-CHO, Ac-WEHD-FMK and Q-LEHD-Oph, Biovision Inc., Milpitas,Calif., USA; Z-VAD-FMK, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn., USA; andAc-AEVD-CHO, Enzo Life Sciences Inc, Farmingdale, N.Y., USA.

Example D2 Human Granzyme B Enzymatic Inhibition Assay

An in vitro fluorogenic detection assay for assessing the IC₅₀ and/orpercent inhibition at a given concentration of inhibitors against humanGranzyme B (hGzmB) enzyme was performed as described in Example D1. Whenappropriate, percent inhibition data was collected and fitted togenerate IC₅₀ data using GraphPad Prism 5 (GraphPad Software, La JollaCalif. USA, www.graphpad.com) and its non-linear regression analysistools or other equivalent tools.

Select compounds of Examples C1-C9 exhibited inhibitory activity againsthGzmB. Each of the compounds of the invention identified in Table 1exhibited Granzyme B inhibitory activity.

In certain embodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀<50,000 nM. Inother embodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀<10,000 nM. In furtherembodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀<1,000 nM. In still furtherembodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀<100 nM. In certainembodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀ from 10 nM to 100 nM,preferably from 1 nM to 10 nM, more preferably from 0.1 nM to 1 nM, andeven more preferably from 0.01 nM to 0.1 nM.

Example D3 Human Caspase Enzymatic Inhibition Assay

In vitro fluorogenic detection assays for assessing the IC₅₀ and/orpercent inhibition at a given concentration of inhibitors, against a setof human Caspase enzymes, was performed as described in Example D1.Representative compounds of the invention do not significantly inhibitany caspase enzyme tested at a concentration of 50 μM.

In certain embodiments, the compounds exhibited less than 50% inhibitionat 50 μM. In other embodiments, the compounds exhibited greater than 50%inhibition at 50 μM, but less than 10% inhibition at 25 μM.

Example D4 General Kinetic Enzyme Assay Protocol (384 Well)

A specific 2× assay buffer was prepared for the enzyme to be tested (seeTable 4 for final 1× assay buffer compositions). If the assay bufferincluded DTT, it was added immediately prior to running the assay. A 2×enzyme mix was prepared (see Table 3 for enzyme assay conditions) at 26uL per well. Compounds were screened at one or two appropriateconcentrations (to determine the percent inhibition at thoseconcentrations) and/or a full dose response curve (typically 12 points,to identify the IC₅₀) in duplicate, triplicate, or higher replicates asneeded. An appropriate control was also assessed in full dose response,in duplicate for each assay/plate. Background control wells consisted of1× assay buffer and substrate. Positive control wells consisted ofenzyme (no DMSO) and substrate. Test compounds and control compoundswere diluted in 1× Assay Buffer to 15× the final desired concentration.For example, a test compound may be tested in dose response, in serial,tripling dilution condition starting at 20 uM and ending at 0.1 nM (orany appropriate concentration range and dilution scheme). Controlcompounds were prepared similarly. Diluted compounds were prepared in adilution plate and transferred to the reaction plate (384-well mediumbinding plate (Greiner Bio-One FLUOTRAC™)) to allow for the desiredfinal concentrations when added to the enzyme with AB. After mixing, thereaction plate was placed on a shaker (at 300 RPM) for 5 min, followedby incubation (covered) on the bench, for 20 min. Plates were warmed toreaction temperature (see Table 5) for 5 mins for a total incubationtime of 30 min. Plates so prepared were ready for addition of substrateand the subsequent reaction.

An appropriate substrate for each assay was prepared in advance at 2×the final desired concentration (see Table 4) in assay buffer. 30 uL ofthe appropriate substrate mix was added to each appropriate well on thereaction plate, and the plate was read immediately in the TECAN platereader (TECAN INFINITE® M1000 Pro), set to the correct wavelength asneeded for each assay (see Table 5) using 15 cycles, kinetic interval of1 min, number of reads per well of 20 with shaking set to 1 s, doubleorbital, 2 mm amplitude. For fluorescent assays the gain was set tooptimal (100% with gain regulation) for all assays except human GzmBwhich was set to 85 (with the z set at 23000 um).

TABLE 4 Assay Buffer Composition. Enzyme Assay Buffer CompositionCaspase 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8*, 9 & 10/a 50 mM HEPES pH 7.2 (General caspaseassay buffer) 50 mM NaCl 0.1% (w/v) CHAPS 10 mM EDTA 5% (v/v) Glycerol10 mM DTT GzmB & Caspase 8 50 mM HEPES pH 7.5 0.2% (w/v) CHAPS 5 mM DTTCathepsin G 320 mM Tris-HCL pH 7.4 3.2M NaCl *Can also use GzmB assaybuffer for the Caspase-8 assay; Assay buffer components were sourced asfollows: HEPES, DTT, Glycerol and sucrose: Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO,USA, NaCl and EDTA: Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, CHAPS:Calbiochem, Billerica, MA, USA.

TABLE 5 Enzyme assay conditions. Substrate Assay Enzyme Conc. Ex/Em λ*Temp Control Name Conc. Name (μM) (nm) (° C.) Inhibitor hGzmB 10 nM   Ac-IEPD-AMC 50 380/460 30 V2248 Caspase-1 12.5 mU/μL   YVAD-AFC  5400/505 37 Z-VAD-FMK Caspase-3 0.8 mU/μL & Ac-DEVD-AMC 40 380/460 37Z-VAD-FMK and 1.5 mU/μL & 5 Caspase 7 Caspase-4 3.125 mU/uL &Ac-WEHD-AFC 40 400/505 37 Z-WEHD-FMK and 1.5 mU/uL & 100 Caspase-5Caspase-8 4 mU/uL  Ac-IEPD-AMC 80 380/460 37 Ac-IEPD-CHO Caspase-9 2mU/uL  LEHD-AFC 50 400/505 37 Q-LEHD-Oph Caspase-10/a 3 mU/μLAc-IETD-AMC 10 400/505 37 Ac-AEVD-CHO Cathepsin G 200 nM    Suc-AAPF-pNA 200 uM 410 25 Cat G inhibitor absorbance Human 0.125ug/mL    MeOSuc-AAPF- 50 384/500 37 Sivelestat Neutrophil AFC Elastase*Ex/Em λ is the excitation and emission wavelengths at which to measurefluorescence. Enzyme and substrate concentrations are the finalconcentrations in the well. Note that most protocols require preparing2X enzyme and substrate mixes, as they are diluted 2-fold in the well.

Enzymes were sourced as follows: hGzmB, Froelich Lab, NorthshoreUniversity Health Systems Research Institute, Evanston, Ill., USA;Caspases and Elastase, Biovision Inc., Milpitas, Calif., USA; CathepsinG, Athens Research and Technologies, Athens, Ga., USA. Substrates weresourced as follows: Ac-IEPD-AMC, California Peptide Research Inc., Napa,Calif., USA; YVAD-AFC and MeOSuc-AAPF-AFC Biovision Inc., Milpitas,Calif., USA; LEHD-AFC and Suc-AAPF-pNA Millipore, Billerica Mass., USA.Ac-DEVD-AMC, AC-WEHD-AFC and Ac-IETD-AMC, Enzo Life Sciences Inc,Farmingdale, N.Y., USA. Control inhibitors were sourced as follows:Ac-IEPD-CHO, Ac-WEHD-FMK, Q-LEHD-Oph and CatG inhibitor, Biovision Inc.,Milpitas, Calif., USA; Z-VAD-FMK, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn., USA;and Ac-AEVD-CHO, Enzo Life Sciences Inc, Farmingdale, N.Y., USA.Sivelestat, Tocris Bioscience, Bristol, UK.

Example D5 Human Granzyme B Enzymatic Inhibition Assay

An in vitro fluorogenic detection assay for assessing the IC₅₀ and/orpercent inhibition at a given concentration of inhibitors against humanGranzyme B (hGzmB) enzyme was performed as described in Example D4. Whenappropriate, percent inhibition data was collected and fitted togenerate IC₅₀ data using GraphPad Prism 5 (GraphPad Software, La JollaCalif. USA, www.graphpad.com) and its non-linear regression analysistools or other equivalent tools.

Select compounds of Examples C1-C9 exhibited inhibitory activity againsthGzmB. Each of the compounds of the invention identified in Table 1exhibited Granzyme B inhibitory activity.

In certain embodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀<50,000 nM. Inother embodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀<10,000 nM. In furtherembodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀<1,000 nM. In still furtherembodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀<100 nM. In certainembodiments, select compounds exhibited IC₅₀ from 10 nM to 100 nM,preferably from 1 nM to 10 nM, more preferably from 0.1 nM to 1 nM, andeven more preferably from 0.01 nM to 0.1 nM.

Example D6 Human Caspase Enzymatic Inhibition Assay

In vitro fluorogenic detection assays for assessing the IC₅₀ and/orpercent inhibition at a given concentration of inhibitors, against a setof human Caspase enzymes, was performed as described in Example D4.Representative compounds of the invention do not significantly inhibitany caspase enzyme tested at a concentration of 50 μM.

In certain embodiments, the compounds exhibited less than 50% inhibitionat 50 μM. In other embodiments, the compounds exhibited greater than 50%inhibition at 50 μM, but less than 10% inhibition at 25 μM.

Example D7 Inhibition of Cell Detachment by GzmB Assay

HDFa primary human fibroblasts were plated at 10 k/well in 200 ul,approximately 20 hrs before treatment. The next day, controls and 100 nMGzmB (recombinant, human) plus or minus inhibitor treatments wereprepared in serum-free media. GzmB and inhibitor were incubated for 20minutes at RT before adding to cells. Before addition, media and serumwas removed from the cells and the cells were washed with PBS (1×),using pipettes to prevent disturbing the cells. Treatment preparations(100 ul) were added to the wells and incubated for 7 hours in a tissueculture incubator. After 7 hours, media and treatments were removed andthe cells were washed with PBS (1×) to removed detached cells, usingpipettes only. Phase pictures were taken then the PBS was removed andreplaced with 100 uL of serum-free media and 20 uL of MTS and the cellswere allowed to incubate for 3 hours in a cell culture incubator. After3 hours the absorbance was read at 490 nm and a percent inhibition valuefor the treatments with inhibitors was determined from the controlwells. The resulting date is shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Inhibition of Cell Detachment by GzmB Results. Compound PercentInhibition of cell detachment at 50 uM C3 91%

Example D8 Inhibition of Fibronectin Cleavage by GzmB

Black, 96 well high-binding assay plates (Griener Bio-one) were treatedovernight at 4° C. with 40 uL of 8 ug/mL Hilyte Fluor 488 labeledFibronectin (Cytoskeleton, Inc). After fibronectin coating, plates werewashed 3 times in buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 20 mM NaCl) then oncewith granzyme B assay buffer (50 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 0.1% CHAPS). Afterwashing, 50 uL of granzyme B assay buffer was added to eachfibronectin-coated well. In a separate non-binding 96 well assay plate 5uL of 20× inhibitor serial dilution stocks were added to 45 uL of2.22×GzmB mix to establish inhibition (enzyme/inhibitor mixes were allprepared in granzyme B assay buffer and were incubated first at roomtemperature for 20 minutes, then at 30° C. for another 10 minutes).After incubation, 50 uL of this 2× enzyme/inhibitor mix was added to thecorresponding coated well to initiate fibronectin cleavage (20 nM finalgranzyme B concentration, 8-point inhibitor dilution series starting at50 uM). The assay was conducted at 30° C. in the TECAN plate reader(TECAN INFINITE® M1000 Pro), which was programmed to monitor the kineticfluorescence polarization signal (filter set Ex/Em 470 nm/527 nm) withreadings taken every minute, for 1 hour. Proteolytic activity wasevaluated as the rate of fluorescence enhancement in the parallelemission over the linear range of the reaction. % Inhibition values werecalculated from assay controls and the resulting date is shown in Table7.

TABLE 7 Inhibition of Fibronectin Cleavage by GzmB Results. PercentInhibition at Inhibitor Concentration Compound 50 uM 5.56 uM 0.62 uM C478% 56% 28% C8 94% 83% 63%

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound selected from the groupconsisting of3-{[2-methyl-1-{5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}propyl]carbamoyl}propanoic acid;(2S)-1-{5-[2-methyl-1-(2-phenylacetamido)propyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl}-N-(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide;3-{[2-methyl-1-[5-({[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]propyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid;3-{[2-methyl-1-{5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}propyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid;3-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S)-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid;(2S)-1-{5-[cyclopentyl(2-phenylacetamido)methyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyl}-N-(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide;3-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid;3-{[cyclopentyl({5-[(2S,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl})methyl]carbamoyl}propanoicacid; and3-[({5-[(2S,4S)-4-cyclohexyl-2-[(2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}(cyclopentyl)methyl)carbamoyl]propanoicacid; or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A pharmaceuticalcomposition, comprising a compound of claim 1, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 3. Amethod for inhibiting Granzyme B in a subject, comprising administeringan effective amount of a compound of claim 1, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, to a subject in need thereof.
 4. A method fortreating dissection, aneurysm, or atherosclerosis, comprisingadministering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a subject in needthereof.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein administering the compoundcomprises topical administration, oral administration, or administrationby injection.
 6. A method for treating cutaneous scleroderma,epidermolysis bullosa, radiation dermatitis, alopecia areata, or discoidlupus erythematosus, comprising administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound of claim 1, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, to a subject in need thereof.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein administering the compound comprises topicaladministration.
 8. A method for treating a wound, comprisingadministering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a subject in needthereof.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein administering the compoundcomprises topical administration, oral administration, or administrationby injection.